Jakarta, Sept. 29 -- A collaborative program between National Alms Agency (Baznas) and the Religious Affairs Ministry has selected 34 mosques in three provinces to pilot a community-based economic empowerment initiative.

The collaboration is between Baznas' Mosque Microfinance (BMM) and the Ministry of Religious Affairs' Masjid Berdaya Berdampak (Madada).

Arsad Hidayat, Director of Islamic Affairs and Sharia Development at the ministry announced that the mosques collectively received Rp5.1 billion (US $305,151) in stimulus funds, with each mosque allocated Rp150 million (US $8,986).

"These funds are expected to encourage creative initiatives at the mosque level, such as sharia cooperatives, skills training, and small business units," A...