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Indonesian Islamic schools not related to Gulen, minister says
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Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim (right) briefs the media at his office on July 4. The minister said no schools under the ministry's authority were related to an organization led by Fethullah Gulen, who has been accused of being behind the recent failed coup against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (Antara Foto/Hafidz Mubarak A)
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eligious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin has asserted that no schools under the ministry's authority were related to an organization led by Fethullah Gulen, who Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused of being behind a recent failed coup against him.
"Islamic schools under the Religious Affairs Ministry have no connection to Fethullah Gulen," Lukman said on Monday.
The minister acknowledged that State Islamic University (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta -- one of nine Indonesian educational institutions said to be affiliated to the organization, which the Turkish government has dubbed the Gulenist Terror Organization (FETÖ) -- previously had cooperation with the exiled Muslim cleric, who now lives in the US.
However, Lukman said the ties were severed in April due to the slow realization of the partnership and not because of pressure from the Turkish government.
On Thursday, the Turkish Embassy in Indonesia claimed that nine Turkish international schools in the country were related Gulen, namely those operating under the Pacific Countries Social and Economic Solidarity Association (PASIAD), which is associated with the cleric.
The schools are Kharisma Bangsa bilingual boarding school in South Tangerang; Pribadi bilingual boarding school in Depok, West Java; Pribadi bilingual boarding school in Bandung, West Java; Semesta bilingual boarding school in Semarang, Central Java; Kesatuan Bangsa bilingual boarding school in Yogyakarta; Sragen bilingual boarding school in Sragen, Central Java; Fatih boy’s school in Aceh, Fatih girl’s school in Aceh and Banua bilingual boarding school in South Kalimantan. (dmr)
