he Jakarta administration has urged the Mosque Welfare Council (DKM) in the city to be selective in inviting preachers to deliver sermons amid fear of radicalism being taught at houses of worship.
"We urge the DKM to present preachers that promote peace and are able to maintain a conducive environment," Bureau of Mental and Spiritual Education (Dikmental) head, Hendra Hidayat, said at City Hall on Wednesday.
The concern was expressed following a report that radicalism had infiltrated at least 40 mosques in the capital.
Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno said on Tuesday that he had obtained the names of the 40 mosques in question. He said the administration would take steps to prevent radicalism from growing by empowering their economy.
"One of the problems that leads to radicalism is injustice and [the lack of] understanding, which the younger generation are continuously being indoctrinated with, causing them to take a shortcut. There is no other way than education and giving them an opportunity to become successful entrepreneurs through the OK OCE program," he said on Tuesday as quoted by kompas.com. He was referring to an entrepreneurial program he introduced during the election campaign.
During the election, political observers believed that mosques had been utilized to discourage voters from supporting then-governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, who was seeking reelection.
Some mosques reportedly erected banners stating that they would refuse to be used as a place to perform rites for supporters of a blasphemer, referring to Ahok, who was accused of committing blasphemy against Islam. (fac)
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