This year Jakarta Provincial Government is going to depart 30 mosque keepers (marbot) to conduct umroh (minor hajj pilgrimage). These mosque keepers have passed selection phase from 3,140 mosque keepers in 3,000 mosques.

This is a form of government’s awareness to mosque keepers whose roles as mosque’s keepers, guards, and cleaners are often forgotten

“This is a form of government’s awareness to mosque keepers whose roles as mosque’s keepers, guards, and cleaners are often forgotten,” said City Secretary Assistant for Public Welfare Division, Bambang Sugiyono, Thursday (11/6).

According to Sugiyono, the mosque keepers prioritized are elderly, underprivileged, and have serve at the mosque for a long time. This program will be continued next year and the amount of mosque keepers departed will be increased. About the cost, it is covered by Jakarta Provincial Government and granted to Jakarta Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI).

“Jakarta Provincial Government grants Rp 10.1 billion to DMI, in which Rp 7 billion from that fund is allocated for the mosque keepers’ needs, including their wages and money for umroh,” he explained.

Besides that, Sugiyono added, Jakarta Provincial Government also plans to expand mosques and mushala (small mosques) in the capital city. The reason is because existing mosques are too small, yet they are also used by Muslims to hold religious activities.

“Jakarta Provincial Government will expand mosques by acquisition land belongs to the locals around the mosques,” he said.