The East Java Regional Office of the National Land Agency and the Indonesian Mosque Council East Java signed a memorandum of understanding to accelerate certification of mosque waqf land. The collaboration aims to strengthen legal certainty and protect religious assets in the province. The signing took place at the Islamic Center Surabaya on Friday (5/12/2025).
The signing of the MoU between the East Java BPN Regional Office and DMI Jatim represents a joint effort to safeguard and protect waqf land. Head of BPN Jatim Asep Heri stated, “This is our collective endeavor to protect waqf land. With certificates, mosques will have a strong legal foundation, allowing them to focus on their primary functions as places of worship and centers for social and economic activities of the community.”
The event occurred at the Islamic Center Surabaya on Friday (5/12/2025). Asep Heri, who also serves as Chairman of the Zakat, Infaq, Shodaqoh, and Waqf Empowerment Department (ZISWAF), emphasized that BPN Jatim has prepared an acceleration mechanism for a more systematic certification process, from data collection and verification to certificate issuance. Collaboration with DMI Jatim is seen as crucial for speeding up data gathering and waqf file completion.
This step is strategic in promoting a more organized and secure religious ecosystem, particularly regarding waqf assets that often face legality issues. Through the MoU, both parties hope to accelerate the certification of thousands of mosque waqf lands across all regencies and cities in East Java, enabling more optimal and sustainable development, expansion, and utilization.
East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa added that mosques in Jatim are now not only worship centers but also tourist destinations. “Green houses in mosque areas are an excellent example of educational tourist spots. With faster certification, these development efforts will be even more feasible,” she said.