Ministry of Religion's Latest Statement on Islamic Religious Education

Minister of Religion Lukman Hakim Saifuddin ensured the government would not remove Islamic
Religious Education (PAI) from the curriculum. Instead the government wants the existence of PAI in
schools to be strengthened.

Lukman believes if a student is able to give a speech about religious material, can write Islamic
stories, is good at reciting holy verses of the Koran, this is inseparable from the role of PAI teachers
in educating their students through religious subjects in schools.

"Religious education in schools is too important to ignore. I hope all parties work together to
improve the quality of religious education in schools," Lukman said, Friday (11/10).

If PAI succeeds in shaping the morals of individual students of faith and noble character, he
continued, then 37.7 million or 78% of school-age children can be saved from their beliefs and
behavior.

Lukman said, there are three things that need to be examined together. First, strengthen the
coordination of Islamic religious education in schools. Because PAI is not only fully managed by the
Ministry of Religion.

"Although religious affairs are matters of the Ministry of Religion, public schools are under the
authority of the Regional Government," he said.

Second, as the issuance of women's law No. 3 of 2017, the Ministry of Religion received the mandate
to compile a book supporting PAI.

"I want to emphasize here, prepare the books as best as possible. 12 books that will be tested
publicly, hopefully we can finish. Do not forget to strengthen aspects of religious moderation to
integrate with national insights, "he said.