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Al-Zaytun leader not cooperative: MUI
The Al-Zaytun pesantren (Islamic boarding school) in Indramayu, West Java, has been embroiled in controversy of allegations that the school and its leader Panji Gumilang have been promoting heretical teachings and linked to the breakaway Indonesian Islamic State (NII) movement.
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Dayah Darul Quran Aceh pesantren (Islamic boarding school) students attend a Quran recital at Gampong Tumbo Baro in Kuta Malaka, Aceh, on March 29, 2023. (Antara/Khalis Surry)
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meta charset="utf-8">As an investigation into allegations of blasphemous activities at the Al-Zaytun pesantren (Islamic boarding school) led by Panji Gumilang continues, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) says that it has been trying to clarify the matter through dialogue but to no avail.
The pesantren in Indramayu, West Java, has been embroiled in controversy over allegations that the school has been promoting heretical teachings and is linked to the breakaway Indonesian Islamic State (NII) movement.
The controversy has also attracted the attention of the West Java administration, with Governor Ridwan Kamil forming a multistakeholder team to investigate the pesantren and summoning Panji to the West Java gubernatorial office in Bandung for clarification on June 23.
On Saturday, MUI deputy secretary-general Arif Fahrudin said Panji in his response to the latest controversy had instead launched attacks against the MUI instead of clearing up the matter directly with the council
“We are deeply concerned over this disharmony among elements of Islam, especially as Panji Gumilang is reluctant to have dialogue and provide clarification to the MUI,” Arif said in a statement.
Arif pointed to the dialogue at the governor's office, which while Panji attended, he refused to meet with MUI representatives or permit any requests by the MUI to visit Al-Zaytun.
“If Panji Gumilang is still rejecting dialogue for tabayyun [clarification] with the MUI, then the MUI advises the public to increase its vigilance to avoid being easily indoctrinated or provoked by controversial religious interpretations like those of Panji Gumilang,” Arif said.
