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MUI Bogor urges tolerance after call to ban Cap Go Meh emerges
The Cap Go Meh celebration has been held regularly in Bogor without any major disturbances.
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The winners of Koko Cici Jakarta, a Chinese culture pageant organization, sing the national anthem "Indonesia Raya" during the Cap Go Meh Glodok 2018 festival. (JP/Jessicha Valentina)
T
he Indonesian Ulema Council’s (MUI) Bogor chapter in West Java has urged members of the public not to heed the call from a conservative Muslim group who wants to ban Cap Go Meh celebrations.
A circular dated Jan. 23, which was issued by a group identifying itself as the Bogor Muslim Forum, stated that it rejected the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration on Feb. 5 and Cap Go Meh that is celebrated 15 days later.
After the circular was widely spread on social media, MUI Bogor regency chairman Mukri Aji said Muslims in the area should remain tolerant and that “people of different beliefs do not interfere with one another”, as stated in the MUI’s fatwa.
“I don’t know of the existence and quality of that forum, but the thing is that the MUI’s fatwa is stronger,” he told tempo.co on Monday.
He was referring to the 2016 fatwa on the law to use non-Muslim attire, which states that Muslims should respect the faith and beliefs of people from other religions.
“I think it’s clear. We should maintain harmony and tolerance,” he added.
The Cap Go Meh celebration has been held regularly in Bogor without any major disturbances. (fac)
