"Nasaruddin Umar Is Going To Be The Best Minister of Religious Affairs," Says the Rector of UIN Jakarta

Jakarta, UIN Online News — A recent survey conducted by Indo Survey & Consulting (ISC) ahead of President Prabowo’s first year in office ranked Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar among the best-performing and most consistent ministers. In the public satisfaction index, Nasaruddin scored 75 percent, placing him alongside other top-performing ministers such as the Minister of Finance, the Cabinet Secretary, and the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK).

This achievement is closely tied to the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ success in implementing priority programs that directly benefit the public. Among its key breakthroughs is the digitalization of Hajj and Umrah services, making the registration process more transparent, efficient, and accountable. Additionally, numerous religious moderation initiatives have been expanded to educational institutions and interfaith communities, strengthening social tolerance while reducing the risk of tribal conflict.

Under Nasaruddin’s leadership, Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) have undergone significant transformation. Once viewed primarily as traditional educational institutions, they are now being positioned as centers for community economic empowerment, serving as drivers of local economic growth.

The Ministry’s swift response to humanitarian issues has also earned public praise. During outbreaks of religious conflict in several regions, Kemenag deployed mediation initiatives, facilitated interfaith dialogue, and provided humanitarian assistance, demonstrating the Ministry’s high sensitivity to Indonesia’s socio-religious dynamics.

Rector of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D., stated that Nasaruddin’s performance sets a benchmark for other ministers.

“Nasaruddin Umar is one of the cabinet’s most consistent performers. He has become a patron figure for ministers from professional, non-partisan backgrounds,” the rector of UIN Jakarta said on Wednesday (1/10/2025).

According to Asep Saipudin Jahar, the presence of independent professionals is vital in maintaining balance within the cabinet. Under Umar's consistency, unmarred by political turbulence, it proves that the ministry can operate effectively without relying on partisan support.

“He is proven to sustain this performance and reinforce these priority programs. Thus, he has every potential to become one of the most influential technocrats in President Prabowo’s administration,” he added.

With his consistency, integrity, and commitment to public welfare, Nasaruddin Umar continues to affirm the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ role as a strategic institution for strengthening national social cohesion. The public now holds high expectations that Kemenag will maintain this momentum, ensuring religion continues to serve as a source of peace, tolerance, and progress.

(Press Release of the Information and Public Relations Center of UIN Jakarta)