TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Gerakan Fajar Nusantara (Gafatar) Chairman Mahful M. Tumanurung responded to Indonesian Ulema Council's (MUI) fatwa (religious edict) declaring the organization as "defiant".
"We don't trust MUI," said Mahful at the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute office on Tuesday, January 26, 2016.
According to Mahful, MUI had never disputed Gafatar's existence when it was first established. "Why did they [MUI] suddenly issue a fatwa? Have they engaged in a dialogue with me?" Mahful said.
Mahful said that Gafatar had sent a letter requesting an audience to the MUI. The request however, was ignored. "It's our rights. We will prove it," Mahful said, adding that the fatwa issued by MUI is a form of provocation.
Mahful added that MUI is a public organization just like Gafatar, so it is unethical for MUI to issue a fatwa declaring other organizations defiant.
Mahful claimed Gafatar is an ordinary organization and often engage in positive activities. "We've never done anything bad," Mahful said.
DIKO OKTARA