Jakarta, March 14 -- The Religious Affairs Ministry has officially inaugurated Widyalaya, a specialized educational institution designed to nurture students in Hindu religious values.

"I think we should be thankful for this. It will be a place to compete in advancing our education quality," said Abu Rokhmad, the ministry's Acting Secretary General, on Thursday.

He said that Widyalaya will impart not only general and mandatory knowledge but also religious knowledge to students. He also encouraged Hindu families to entrust Widyalaya institutions with their children's education.

"Are Hindus keen to send their children to Widyalaya? Do our Hindus trust the educational institutions they initiate on their own? We would prove this," he said....