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.
MUI hopes its opinion is used as a reference in Ahok’s blasphemy case
Change Size
Against blasphemy – The Indonesian Ulema Council’s (MUI) consultative board chairman Din Syamsuddin speaks in a press conference on Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama’s blasphemy allegations in Jakarta on Nov.9. (Antara/Puspa Perwitasari)
T
he Indonesian Ulema Council’s (MUI) consultative board expects a religious opinion it issued on Oct.11 to be used as a reference by the police in their investigation into allegations of blasphemy lodged against inactive Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama.
Among points in the board’s religious opinion is an edict, which states that declaring the content of Surah Al Maidah:51 as a falsehood is haram (forbidden under Islamic law) and can be categorized as blasphemy against the Quran.
It also states that declaring ulemas, who convey Surah Al Maidah:51 to their followers, as having lied is an act of blasphemy both against those ulemas and Muslims in general.
MUI consultative board chairman Din Syamsuddin said it was common for law enforcers in Indonesia to use MUI religious opinions in handling certain cases.
“The council’s religious opinions should have been used by the National Police as a prime reference in handling the allegations of religious blasphemy,” Din said as quoted by kompas.com on Wednesday.
He said the MUI’s religious opinions were released as part of ulemas’ responsibility to guard Islam and to promote a disciplined and harmonious life, which could bring benefits for all people in the country.
“They also aim to maintain interfaith harmony for the sake of the unity and integrity of this nation,” said Din.
He hopes legal proceedings in Ahok’s case are conducted quickly, fairly and transparently to provide justice for all Indonesians. (ebf)
