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Ulema council, government to rein in intolerant television sermons
The Indonesian Ulema Council's (MUI) move to introduce certification standards follows the government’s campaign to stem the rising tide of religious intolerance spread through sermons in public places, including mosques, schools and the internet.
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Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) executives with Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD (‘third from left’) speak during the MUI's workshop for preachers to promote moderation and tolerance in Jakarta on Thursday. (JP/Moch. Fiqih Prawira)
T
he Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) is seeking to rein in the spread of hate sermons by introducing certification standards for Muslim preachers appearing on television.
The move follows the government’s campaign to stem the rising tide of religious intolerance spread through sermons in public places, including mosques, schools and the internet.
On Thursday, the MUI invited around 80 Muslim preachers to its office, including many who make regular television appearances giving sermons or hosting religious programs. They took part in a three-day course to ensure they met the basic competency standards set by the MUI, the umbrella for all Islamic organizations in Indonesia.
The course is intended to ensure that they promote moderation and tolerance. While an MUI certificate is not a prerequisite to appear on television, it is clear that the government wants to ensure that television stations only hire those who have taken the course.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has started to clamp down on religious intolerance since beginning his second term in office in October. He is being assisted by Vice President Ma’ruf Amin, a senior ulema who has kept his position as the council’s chair.
In 2018, the Religious Affairs Ministry drew up a list of 200 Muslim preachers considered moderate and tolerant after its earlier move to certify all preachers was met with stiff opposition. The MUI is now certifying preachers who appear on television.
Critics say hate sermons often creep into television programs as stations invite popular firebrand ulemas critical of the government.
