Sharia Concept Must Be Featured in Indonesia

North Lombok Regent Najmul Akhyar speaking during a national seminar held by SEBI School of Islamic Economics (STEI SEBI). Photo: Nidiya/MINA

Jakarta, 13 Jumadil Akhir 1438/12 March 2017 (MINA) – Indonesian North Lombok Regent Najmul Akhyar said halal/sharia concept should be an obligation to be realized in Indonesia, one of them in the tourism sector.

“The concept of sharia should begin by adjusting between the majority culture and society,” he said in a National Seminar on Islamic Economic Day (EID) in Depok, Saturday (11/3).

Najmul said, the application of this concept must be started continuously by disseminating the public.

“The concept of Sharia or Halal is not only religious but also healthy to be consumed by the body, that’s the real paradigm,” he said.

He added, in the tourism sector, sharia travel paradigm doesn’t change anything on destinations. Distinguishing point is a comfort worship during their travel, as well as food.

The seminar entitled “Halal Lifestyle For Indonesia With Competitive Nature” was held by SEBI School of Islamic Economics (STEI SEBI).

The event held from 8-11 of March was attended by Indonesian Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartanto, West Nusa Tenggara Governor Muhammad Zainul Majdi, Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Muslim merchant (ISMI) Ing Ilham Akbar Habibie , the Regent of North Lombok Najmul Ahyar, and Chairman BAZNAS Bambang Sudibyo.

Based on Reuters research, the global Muslim shopping for halal food reached 1.2 billion US dollars in 2014 and is predicted to reach 1.58 billion US dollars in 2020. The global halal market and halal lifestyle sector including travel, fashion, media and recreation, drugs, and cosmetics reached 1.8 billion US dollars in 2014. Its value is projected to rise to 2.6 billion dollars in 2020.

Halal Tourism industry is now becoming one of the industries in the tourism sector were taken into account. Halal industry is considered as a great opportunity that become needs and lifestyle (halal/sharia lifestyle). There are 10 sectors halal lifestyle that gives major contribution in the world economy. Namely: food, finance, travel, cosmetic, education, fashion, media, recreation, pharmaceuticals, medical, and art & culture.

However, despite that Indonesia as the largest Muslim nation in the world, the country has not made this halal industry as the motor of the national economy. According to the Global Islamic Economic Report 2015-2016, Indonesia currently occupies the tenth position in the industry and the world halal market. The first rank was occupied by a neighboring country, Malaysia. Followed by the UAE (United Arab Emirates), Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Indonesia.(L/RE1/P2)

MI’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)