TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Ulema's grandkids `are on Facebook'
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has yet to decide on social online networks and mobile phones, which some religious leaders in East Java say should be banned, if used for"negative" purposes
Change Size
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has yet to decide on social online networks and mobile phones, which some religious leaders in East Java say should be banned, if used for"negative" purposes.
"We have not discussed the issue but we respect the opinion of the ulema in East Java," MUI chairman Amidhan told The Jakarta Post here on Sunday.
"It would be valid if the content is banned," he said, citing the use of social networks like Facebook for exchange of pornographic materials or gossip.
"My grandchildren have Facebook accounts and I really keep an eye on them *when accessing the site*. They told me that Facebook has many advantages; they can congratulate their friends on their birthdays and can deepen friendships," Amidhan said.
He had attended the clerics' gathering last week in Kediri, East Java, which touched on the possibilities of regulating online behavior.
Nabil Haroen, a spokesman for the Lirboyo Islamic boarding school, the host of last week's gathering, said Saturday that the results of the gathering were "recommendations" for the country's largest Islamic organization, the Nahdlatul Ulama, and the MUI.
The recommendations were the results of a regular gathering to discuss various issues including some review of what should be the Islamic rulings on "approaching the other sex" through mobile phones and online communications such as short text messaging, Friendster and Facebook.
Concerns were then raised on the possible abuse of such media.
"We ask that these institutions regulate *such media if * . there is pornographic content found, when there is no regulation from the government," Nabil told the Post.
Amidhan said Facebook itself is a "neutral" social network.
According to Halim Mahfudz of the NU, the results of the clerics' meeting last week did not automatically become a legal reference for all Muslims, or indeed for the NU.
"The meeting was a forum to discuss the regeneration of Islamic law, to *help* develop and fi nd new regulations to fi t current developments," said Halim through his email to the Post.
He said the results of the meeting would not automatically become a legal reference.
"It will be evaluated, discussed and researched over and over by ulema with a higher level of education and knowledge," he said.
Religious edicts, even from the MUI, are not legally binding.
On Saturday, a government official assured interested parties that there would be no law or regulation issued to limit access to Facebook.
The existing law however penalizes individuals found to distribute rumors or baseless information considered to be sensitive, or those touching on issues under the heading of "SARA", causing offence in relation to ethnic or tribal affi liations, religious and social groups.
Violations are subject to possible imprisonment of up to six years and fi nes up to Rp 2 billion.
Although the end of the New Order in 1998 also saw the end of censorship, issues touching on social differences are still considered sensitive, and statements in breach of these laws would be illegal.
