Religious Minister on Bahasa Indonesia in Friday Prayer Sermon
Translator
Ricky Mohammad Nugraha
Editor
Markus Wisnu Murti
Jumat, 1 November 2019 17:59 WIB
Religious Affairs Minister Fachrul Razi attends the first meeting of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet at the State Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, October 24, 2019. TEMPO/Subekti
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Religious Affairs Minister Fachrul Razi led today’s Friday sermon at Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque with prayers spoken in Arabic and in Bahasa Indonesia.
Fachrul said he had done it intentionally in hopes to make an example for ustads (Islamic teachers) who routinely gave sermons at mosques. He said the reason was to teach people the meaning behind a prayer, which is often spoken in Arabic.
“For example, urging for a peaceful Islam with Arabic, not everyone will understand that. So there must be some spoken in the Indonesian language,” said the former National Armed Forces deputy commander today.
He later implied that clarity in language would help prevent people from being exposed to radicalism and hateful speeches. “Because not everyone can understand Arabic,” Fachrul Razi said.
