Jakarta, December 22, 2023 - Istiqlal Mosque has strengthened its cooperation with Unilever Indonesia to run several social and environmental programs. This was finalized through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), which outlines their various collaborations to improve the health and welfare of more than 100,000 Istiqlal Mosque worshipers while preserving the physical environment surrounding all mosques.
The splendor of the Istiqlal Mosque is not only reflected in the robustness and beauty of its architecture, but also in its important role as the center of Islamic ideas and civilization in Indonesia. Since its inauguration in 1978, the Istiqlal Mosque has continued to produce various program innovations, both in the fields of religion, health, social, and the environment.
Unilever Indonesia has become one of the Istiqlal Mosque’s strategic partners to realize its vision as an institute for people's empowerment. This collaboration, which began in 2017, has produced several programs that provide benefits for both the public and the immediate environment surrounding the Istiqlal Mosque.
Regarding the signing of the MoU, Prof. Dr. KH. Nasaruddin Umar, MA, Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque said: "The criteria for the parties we collaborate with in the MoU are of course in accordance with the vision and mission of Istiqlal itself, which is to empower the nation and its people. I am a witness that Unilever has provided services and services to the citizens of Indonesia, especially Muslims. Unilever's cooperation with Istiqlal is not just now, it started a long ago and intensified after the Istiqlal was renovated. For this reason, we are very grateful to Unilever for always being present at every activity at Istiqlal, from small to large events. This collaboration between the Istiqlal Mosque and Unilever can hopefully improve the welfare of all Indonesian citizens, especially Muslims."
Nurdiana Darus, Director and Corporate Secretary of Unilever Indonesia responded thusly: "For the past 90 years, Unilever Indonesia has been committed to continually providing positive benefits to both the society and the environment through responsible and sustainable growth. Alhamdulillah, we have again been trusted by the Istiqlal Mosque to become a strategic partner for the next five years. This will enable us to not only help advance and bring prosperity to more than 100,000 Istiqlal worshipers, but also to support the physical environment of mosques throughout Indonesia and become a role model for environmentally friendly lifestyles."
As a continuation of the existing partnership, this cooperation between the Istiqlal Mosque and Unilever Indonesia will focus on these main pillars:
- Improving the quality of people's resources through health programs and empowering women and families;
- Improving community welfare through mosque-based entrepreneurship, economic development programs and social services;
- Environmentally friendly mosque management through water stewardship and waste management programs;
- Collaboration of activities that support the commemoration and celebration of Muslim Holy Days.
Several points in the MoU will sharpen the effectiveness of previous collaborations. For example, the Water Stewardship program, which was initiated last August, involves Unilever Indonesia donating a water tank-containing an electric cart unit to the Istiqlal Mosque Management Board. This will enable them to distribute water sourced from recycled and rainwater harvesting so that it can meet the mosque’s various water needs. In addition, Unilever Indonesia has placed educational water-saving materials at several points throughout the Istiqlal Mosque, thus potentially reaching thousands of worshipers every day.
This collaboration is clearly manifested through the “Bakti Sosial Masjid Istiqlal Ramah Anak” event, which involved 300 students from Sekolah Anak Kolong Penjaringan. Presented by Lifebuoy and Pepsodent, it consisted of educational programs on the importance of maintaining hand, dental and oral hygiene for a healthier life as well as various games with attractive prizes. It closed with free dental checks and treatments.
"This event symbolizes the continuation of our good intentions, and God willing, it can strengthen collaboration in supporting the realization of a healthier, empowered, prosperous Islamic community as well as initiating real, concrete actions to ensure environmental sustainability," Nurdiana concluded.