The Istiqlal Mosque Management Agency (BPMI) and the Jakarta Institute of Al-Qur'an Science College (PTIQ) held a collaboration in organizing the Istiqlal Mosque Ulama Cadre Education program (PKU-MI). Ulama cadres participating in this program will be fully funded by the Education Fund Management Institute (LPDP) of the Ministry of Finance.

The Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque, Prof. KH Nasaruddin Umar, said the program was opened to produce a professional cadre of ulama. Registration itself has been opened from Monday (11/10) to Wednesday (20/10).

According to him, the 100 selected participants will later receive LPDP scholarships in the Ulama Cadre Education (PKU) and Women's Ulama Cadre Education (PKUP) programs, which are equivalent to masters and doctoral degrees.

"From today until the next 12 days, God willing, we will open the education of ulama cadres, in collaboration with PTIQ for Masters and Doctoral Degrees, and will be fully funded by LPDP. So the title will be Masters or Doctoral degrees plus a scholarly degree from Istiqlal," he told Republika.co.id, Monday (11/10). "So later it will really cadre professional scholars," he added.

Prof. Nasar, who is familiarly called, said that cadres of ulama who participated in this program could later become leaders or high ulamas in their respective regions, as well as become administrators of MUI or leaders of Islamic boarding schools.

Moreover, he said, during this Covid-19 period, many scholars had died. Therefore, he hopes that the ulama cadres who follow this program will be expected to be substitutes for the deceased clerics.

"They will replace the many scholars who died. Because there were around 700 clerics who died during the Covid-19 era," he said.

The PTIQ Chancellor explained that the cadre of female clerics was the first program in the world. Therefore, according to him, this program also received support from Egypt's Al Azhar University.

“So, so far, there are only men who are mostly ulema. So we will print female clerics. This is a world first. That's why Al Azhar's support is very good for this program," said Prof Nasaruddin.

The lecture material given to the ulama cadres will also be different from ordinary students studying at PTIQ. In fact, he said, the ulama cadres will also be specifically included in the activities of the Tarjih Council or Bahtsul Masail in several Islamic organizations, so that they can address religious issues that are developing in this day and age.

"And later on, the specifics will also be, God willing, the opportunity for short courses abroad will be given, for S3 for six months, and for S2 for three months," he explained.

According to Prof. Nasaruddin, 100 cadres of scholars who pass the selection will also be taught by scholars from within the country and abroad, such as from Al Azhar University in Cairo, Australia, and Harvard University.

Therefore, he invited all prospective ulama in Indonesia to immediately register for the PKU-MI program. While the registration process itself can be accessed on the www.pku.istiqlal.or.id page or the LPDP official website.

“This is the best opportunity, because it will be borne by everyone. Then it will also be dealt with specifically with how to become an ulama, how to lead a lodge, and how to carry out social activities,” he said.

Prof Nasaruddin added that prospective applicants must at least have English language skills. Because, according to him, later cadres of ulama are also expected to become imams abroad.

"His English will also be strengthened later. Because there are so many requests for ulamas in Indonesia. Imams abroad are not only prayer ulamas, but also can lead the people," he explained.