Jakarta, Aug. 3 -- Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar emphasized the need to continue expanding the functions of mosques across Indonesia, positioning houses of worship as centers for social and humanitarian activities while supporting community empowerment and national development.

"It is not people who empower mosques, but mosques that empower people," he remarked in a statement cited here on Monday.

Umar underscored that the mosque transformation initiative had been underway nationwide, pointing to the growing use of mosques as public service facilities for travelers during Eid al-Fitr homecoming periods in recent years.

He noted that the expansion of functions is in line with the example set by Prophet Muhammad, who leverag...