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.

Jakarta Post

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.

News Desk (The Jakarta Post)
Premium
Jakarta
Sun, March 8, 2020

Share This Article

Change Size

Ulema council, government to rein in intolerant television sermons 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.

to Read Full Story

  • Unlimited access to our web and app content
  • e-Post daily digital newspaper
  • No advertisements, no interruptions
  • Privileged access to our events and programs
  • Subscription to our newsletters
or

Purchase access to this article for

We accept

TJP - Visa
TJP - Mastercard
TJP - GoPay

Redirecting you to payment page

Pay per article

Ulema council, government to rein in intolerant television sermons

Rp 29,000 / article

1
Create your free account
By proceeding, you consent to the revised Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.
Already have an account?

2
  • Palmerat Barat No. 142-143
  • Central Jakarta
  • DKI Jakarta
  • Indonesia
  • 10270
  • +6283816779933
2
Total Rp 29,000
{

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.