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MUI issues fatwa to protect wildlife
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has issued a religiousfatwa against illegal hunting and trading in endangered animals, which theWorld Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) hailed on Wednesday as a positive stepforward
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T
he Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has issued a religiousfatwa against illegal hunting and trading in endangered animals, which theWorld Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) hailed on Wednesday as a positive stepforward.
The fatwa declares such activities 'unethical, immoral and sinful', council official Asrorun Ni'am Sholeh told AFP.
'All activities resulting in wildlife extinction without justifiable religious grounds or legal provisions are haram. These include illegal hunting and trading of endangered animals,' said Sholeh, secretary of the council's commission on fatwas. 'Whoever takes away a life, kills a generation. This is not restricted to humans, but also includes God's other living creatures, especially if they die in vain.'
Indonesia's vast and unique array of wildlife is under increasing pressure from development, logging and agricultural expansion. The government does not typically react to fatwas by implementing specific policy changes.
However, a Forestry Ministry official who asked to remain anonymous told AFP the ministry and the MUI would make a joint announcement regarding the fatwa on March 12, without elaborating on its content
