Jakarta (ANTARA) – Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar has called on Islamic economic scholars and practitioners to collaborate with the government in transforming the management of community funds.This initiative includes zakat (almsgiving), infaq (voluntary charity), waqf (endowments), and sadaqah (charitable donations).”We need input and special assistance from experts outside the ministry in a professional capacity, both theoretically and practically. This is very important. Therefore, I invite all of you to contribute strategic substance on this matter,” the minister said in a statement issued on Monday.He delivered the remarks while speaking at the 22nd anniversary thanksgiving event of the Association of Indonesian Islamic Economists (IAEI) and a gathering of Islamic economic stakeholders in Jakarta.Umar emphasized that the Ministry of Religious Affairs requires fresh perspectives and professional expertise from external parties to strengthen credible governance in the Islamic economic sector.He highlighted as a key priority the government plan to establish a Community Funds Management Agency (LPDU). He expressed hope that concrete formulations and proposals regarding the agency could be intensified, particularly during the momentum of Ramadan.The Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque stressed that all efforts to strengthen the Islamic economy must remain within the framework of prevailing laws, particularly in line with Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution, which mandates that the national economy be organized to serve the public interest.In efforts to advance the national economy, he reflected on economic principles during the era of the Prophet Muhammad. He noted that security stability is a fundamental prerequisite for economic growth.”The economy requires a sense of security. The Prophet set the example: trade can only flourish when there is stability, which is why ceasefires were prioritized. Resources such as crops or industries must not be destroyed. The essence of Islamic economics is sustainability without usury and without hoarding practices,” he said.The minister also cautioned Islamic economic thinkers against losing their identity, warning them not to fall into overly rational-liberal approaches detached from strong theological foundations.”I urge that our ideas not be separated from the Qur’an, hadith, and classical Islamic scholarship as sources of legitimacy. We must possess deep Islamic insight so as not to be labeled liberal,” he said.