Berita

Yogyakarta—There have been more and more universities in Indonesia, either state or private university, which offer Islamic Economics. This state may certainly foster the curriculum standardization in universities, which is deemed essential of teaching aspect. Such a stated background became a compelling reason why “National Workshop on Standardization Curriculum of Islamic Macroeconomics 2018” was held by International Program for Islamic Economics and Finance (IPIEF), Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta on Tuesday (13/3) that take place in Pascasarjana Building UMY.

In this occasion, Ir. Adiwarman Azwar Karim, M.B.A., M.A.E.P, one of the invited speaker and prominent Islamic economist has also highlighted the need for curriculum standardization of teaching Islamic economics, particularly Islamic Macroeconomics. “It is such an obligation for academicians and lecturers in Islamic economics department to fully master economics theories, hence are able to explain rationally Islamic economics to the students”.

Besides, he added, having a complete mastery of core concept in Islamic economics—as written eloquently in the Qur’an, was very crucial. “On the one hand, it is fundamental to possess a keen understanding of economic theories, yet on the other hand the it is also important to have a thorough knowledge of normative base, accentuated in the Qur’an, the fundamental terminology of Islamic economics can extensively be explained. Nationally-standardized curriculum in this context is highly important, therefore the deep knowledge may be transferred successfully, enabling the students to acquire a profound understanding.”

Dr. Roikhan Mochamad Aziz, secretary of Ikatan Ahli Ekonomi Islam (IAEI), also emphasized that currently there are nearly 200 universities in Indonesia which offered Islamic economics program. This was supported by the data figuring out that 200 branches of IAIE has been operated. “Based on the related data, curriculum standardization is indeed becoming very essential to be applied not only in Macroeconomics but also in the wider areas for instance Islamic banking certification.” He added, saying: “To that end (Islamization of Economics), several theories can be applied such as theory formulated by Prof. Ismail Raji Al-Faruqi, Prof. SMN Al-Attas or spider-web theory.”

Having focused his emphasis on the historical and normative studies, Dr. Ayif Fathurrahman, SE., SEI., M.Si, lecturer at IPIEF explained the central concept of Islamic economics, namely mashlahah, as had been practiced by Rasulullah PBUH for years should become the sound base of Islamic Macroeconomics. “Macroeconomics theory is conceptually similar to the “ecosystem” which is structured rigidly and properly. There is a close relation between the concept and the related issues and hence remains in the frame of “Grand Theory” which is Mashlahah theory.” [Aw]