JAKARTA – West Sumatra (Sumbar) Governor Mahyeldi Ansharullah officially inaugurated the Minang Halal Fest 2026 at the Grand Mosque of Syekh Ahmad Khatib Al Minangkabawi on Friday, January 16, 2026. The three-day event, running through January 18, represents a collaborative effort to advance Islamic economic principles and strengthen the halal ecosystem throughout the province.

Cross-Sector Collaboration for Economic Growth

Governor Mahyeldi characterized the Minang Halal Fest as a tangible demonstration of multi-stakeholder cooperation aimed at promoting Islamic economics and finance while reinforcing the halal infrastructure across West Sumatra.

“On behalf of the West Sumatra Provincial Government, we express our gratitude and appreciation to Bank Indonesia, the organizing committee, and all partners who initiated and executed Minang Halal Fest 2026. We hope this event delivers widespread benefits to our community,” stated Mahyeldi.

Islamic Economics: A New Growth Engine

The governor emphasized that Islamic economics and finance have evolved into significant sources of inclusive and sustainable economic expansion. Within this framework, West Sumatra possesses substantial social, cultural, and religious capital to contribute meaningfully to the national halal ecosystem’s strengthening.

“Shariah values have long been embedded in Minangkabau society through the philosophy of ‘adat basandi syarak, syarak basandi Kitabullah’ (customs based on Islamic law, Islamic law based on the Quran). Therefore, developing the halal industry, halal lifestyle, and Islamic finance deeply resonates with the Minang identity,” he explained.

Massive Free Halal Certification Initiative

Governor Mahyeldi announced that West Sumatra received an allocation for free halal certification in 2026 through the Free Halal Certification Program (SEHATI) from the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) targeting Micro and Small Enterprises (UMK).

“Alhamdulillah, for 2026, West Sumatra has been allocated more than 32,000 free halal certifications. This represents a tremendous opportunity we must collectively leverage to strengthen our MSMEs’ competitiveness,” Mahyeldi stated.

Synergy Required for Certification Acceleration

The governor added that accelerating halal certification requires coordination among all parties, including local government, halal facilitators, Islamic banking institutions, and business operators. Consequently, the West Sumatra Provincial Government continues promoting optimal facilitation of halal certification to maximize available quota utilization.

“We want this process to proceed quickly, systematically, and deliver tangible benefits to business operators. Through collaborative effort, God willing, West Sumatra can become a region with robust halal ecosystem strength,” he affirmed.

Comprehensive Festival Programming

Minang Halal Fest 2026 serves as a platform for promotion, literacy, and education regarding halal lifestyle, engaging government entities, academics, business sectors, communities, and the general public. Various programs including symposiums, halal bazaars, competitions, and talk shows are scheduled throughout the January 16–18, 2026 event period, with expectations of strengthening halal MSMEs and the Muslim community’s economy.

Mosques as Economic Empowerment Centers

The governor also emphasized the strategic role of mosques, not merely as worship facilities but as centers for literacy, economic empowerment, and community-based Islamic financial development. This aligns with the West Sumatra Provincial Government’s commitment to strengthening nagari (village) economics and community empowerment based on Islamic values.

Bank Indonesia’s Strategic Support

Meanwhile, Rifki Ismal, Director of the Islamic Economics and Finance Department at Bank Indonesia, conveyed that Bank Indonesia supports government efforts to strengthen the role of the Grand Mosque of Syekh Ahmad Khatib Al Minangkabawi as a center for Islamic economic and financial activities.

This support includes institutional governance strengthening, management quality enhancement, and mosque area development as a center for inclusive and sustainable Muslim community economic activities.

“We expect Minang Halal Fest to become a collaborative space as well as concrete steps in strengthening literacy and Islamic economic development, not only for West Sumatra’s community but also nationally,” Rifki concluded.

Event Highlights and Objectives

The Minang Halal Fest 2026 features:

• Educational symposiums on Islamic economics and halal industry development
• Halal product bazaars showcasing local MSME offerings
• Competitions promoting halal entrepreneurship and innovation
• Interactive talk shows with industry experts and religious scholars
• Certification facilitation connecting businesses with halal certification resources

Regional Context and Cultural Alignment

West Sumatra’s approach to Islamic economic development leverages its unique cultural heritage where Islamic principles are deeply interwoven with traditional Minangkabau customs. This cultural-religious synergy provides a natural foundation for halal industry growth and Islamic financial system adoption.

The “adat basandi syarak, syarak basandi Kitabullah” philosophy demonstrates how West Sumatra society has historically integrated Islamic law into daily life, creating fertile ground for contemporary Islamic economic initiatives.

Economic Empowerment Through Certification

The 32,000 free halal certifications allocated to West Sumatra represent more than regulatory compliance—they symbolize economic opportunity for micro and small enterprises. Halal certification enables these businesses to:

• Access broader markets domestically and internationally
• Build consumer trust through verified compliance
• Compete effectively in the growing halal economy
• Participate in formal supply chains
• Qualify for Islamic banking financing

The Mosque as Community Economic Hub

The emphasis on transforming mosques into economic empowerment centers reflects innovative thinking about religious institutions’ roles in modern Muslim societies. By positioning the Grand Mosque of Syekh Ahmad Khatib Al Minangkabawi as an economic and financial hub, West Sumatra is creating a model where spiritual and economic development reinforce each other.

Looking Forward

The Minang Halal Fest 2026 represents more than a three-day event—it signals West Sumatra’s strategic positioning within Indonesia’s broader Islamic economic development agenda. By combining traditional cultural values, modern technological approaches, and comprehensive government support, the province is establishing itself as a significant contributor to the national halal ecosystem.

The success of this initiative could provide replicable models for other Indonesian regions seeking to strengthen their halal industries and Islamic financial sectors while respecting local cultural contexts.

Original Article:

Times Indonesia. (2026, January 18). Minang Halal Fest 2026 Resmi Dibuka, Gubernur Mahyeldi Dorong Penguatan Ekonomi Syariah Sumbar.  Retrieved from https://timesindonesia.co.id/peristiwa-daerah/573720/minang-halal-fest-2026-resmi-dibuka-gubernur-mahyeldi-dorong-penguatan-ekonomi-syariah-sumbar