February 25, 2026 | 07:32 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The 2025 National Survey on Financial Literacy and Inclusion (SNLIK) shows that Islamic financial literacy and inclusion still lag behind the overall financial sector. The Islamic finance literacy index is recorded at 43.42 percent, while the Islamic financial inclusion index has only reached 13.41 percent.
The Head of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) Solo, Eko Hariyanto, said this becomes the task of all stakeholders to expand understanding and people's access to Sharia-based financial products and services.
"SNLIK 2025 shows that the Islamic financial sector could see improvements. Therefore, more massive, structured, and sustainable collaboration is required," said Eko in Solo, February 24, 2026.
As part of these efforts, OJK Solo has collaborated with the Islamic financial services industry to educate the people, including through the Islamic Finance Ramadan Event (GERAK) 2026 in Solo on February 23, 2026. The event targeted 200 students at the Ta'mirul Islam Islamic Boarding School.
"This program is one of the strategies to expand the reach of Islamic financial literacy in religious-based education environments," he said.
According to Eko, understanding Islamic finance is not only related to saving activities or avoiding usury, but also about managing finances wisely, independently, and in accordance with sharia principles.
The low financial inclusion index at 13.41 percent indicates the limited use of Islamic financial products and services by the community.
"Therefore, education is deemed necessary alongside the opening of access, including through products such as Sharia Student Savings (Simpel) introduced in the event," he said.
OJK hopes that synergy with boarding schools and the Islamic financial services industry can improve financial literacy while also expanding Islamic financial inclusion, especially among the younger generation.
The Head of the Ta'mirul Islam Islamic Boarding School, KH Mohammad Adhim, believes financial literacy is also important to fortify the younger generation from the risks of digital financial crimes. He highlights the rampant illegal online loans and fraudulent investments that often target those with limited financial understanding.
During the Sharia GERAK event, the students also received lectures on the duties and functions of OJK, characteristics of illegal online investments and loans, and an introduction to Islamic financial service products.
Read: Indonesia's Islamic Banking Market Share Lags Behind Malaysia, Saudi Arabia
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