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MUI to train, certify preachers amid rising radicalism
“We aim to train and certify 550 preachers this year"
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Token of support: Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) deputy chairman Yunahar Ilyas (right) and National Police spokesperson Insp. Gen. Setyo Wasisto display a copy of the statement issued by the MUI in response to a flag burning incident on Tuesday. In the statement, the MUI urged people to let the police investigate the case and asked the police to maintain their professionalism. (The Jakarta Post/Dhoni Setiawan)
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n an attempt to curb the spread of radicalism through sermons at mosques, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) will provide preachers with training on moderation and nationalist Islam. At the end of the training program, participants will be tested and receive certification.
MUI’s head of Islamic preaching Muhammad Cholil Nafis explained that the training program would be held periodically, with the first to be held next month at Pondok Gede Haj Dormitory in East Jakarta.
At least 108 participants from various Islamic organizations and the 34 provinces across the country will join the one-week training program.
“We aim to train and certify 550 preachers this year through five batches,” Cholil said.
He further said the MUI was concerned about the rising phenomenon of preachers using sermons to spread radicalism, which is indicated by hate speech toward religious minority groups and support for the notion of an Islamic state.
A 2017 study found that 41 of the 100 mosques in ministerial offices, state agencies and state-owned corporation complexes in Jakarta had radical teachings espoused during Friday prayers. Of the 41 mosques, 21 were at state-owned company buildings, eight at state agencies and 12 at ministry buildings.
The study was conducted by the Association for Pesantren and Community Development, in cooperation with non-governmental organization (NGO) Rumah Kebangsaan from Sept. 29 to Oct. 21, 2017, by analyzing 274 video and 357 audio recordings taken by volunteers.
