Depok, Indonesia | October 21, 2025 — Indonesia’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Prof. Nasaruddin Umar, delivered an inspiring address at the second day of the Annual International Conference on Islam, Science, and Society (AICIS+) 2025, held at the Indonesian International Islamic University (UIII) in Depok. Speaking before hundreds of scholars and researchers from around the world, he outlined three fundamental pillars for shaping the future of Islamic civilization: peace diplomacy, ecological consciousness, and economic empowerment of the Muslim community.

Opening his keynote, Minister Umar highlighted the world’s growing trust in Indonesia as a beacon of peace amid global geopolitical tensions. With the world’s largest Muslim population, Indonesia, he said, has demonstrated that Islam and humanitarianism can coexist harmoniously.

“Indonesia is seen as an independent nation capable of offering peaceful solutions and mediation in times of crisis,” he stated. “This trust is our greatest asset in advancing humanitarian diplomacy, particularly in the context of Middle Eastern conflicts.”

He reaffirmed that Indonesia’s peace diplomacy is rooted in the long-standing principle of independent and active foreign policy, guided by moderate and inclusive Islamic values.

Turning to eco-theology, Minister Umar presented it as a transformative framework that unites faith and environmental ethics. Introduced under his leadership, eco-theology calls for a renewed spiritual awareness of nature’s sanctity and humanity’s moral responsibility to protect it.

“Over 80 percent of Allah’s 99 Names reflect compassion,” he said. “That compassion should be evident in how we treat our environment. Eco-theology aims to realign theology itself with empathy and care for all creation.”

The Minister then shifted focus to economic empowerment, emphasizing the untapped potential of religious funds generated through rituals such as qurban (animal sacrifice), fidyah, and aqiqah. He revealed staggering figures: annual qurban contributions alone could reach IDR 72 trillion, while combined religious obligations may exceed IDR 1,000 trillion each year.

To harness this potential, the government—under President Prabowo Subianto—plans to establish the National Islamic Economic Empowerment Agency (LPDU) in Jakarta next year.

“This is a strategic move to transform spiritual devotion into sustainable welfare for the people,” he affirmed.

Minister Umar concluded by invoking the legacy of Baitul Hikmah, the great House of Wisdom in Baghdad, envisioning Southeast Asia as the next epicenter of Islamic scholarship where science and spirituality converge once again.

“AICIS+ is more than an academic forum—it’s a call to rebuild a compassionate, just, and sustainable Islamic civilization,” he said with conviction.