TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Setara Institute chairperson Hendardi said that the arrest of an Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) fatwa commission member Ahmad Zain An Najah by the counterterrorist special forces Densus 88 confirms that intolerance, radicalism, and terrorism has systemically infiltrated religious organizations.

"MUI which should be the anchor for Islamic moderation has once again been neglectful, as in previous periods by letting people like An Najah be part of MUI's organizational structure," said Hendardi in his statement on Thursday, November 18, 2021.

Moreover, Hendardi said that MUI had previously acted as an effective booster for intolerance in Indonesia following its fatwas against various religions and beliefs, as well as certain events which can be simply considered as religious blasphemy, have legitimized the practice of intolerance, discrimination, and persecution of citizens and certain religious groups.

Despite aligning with MUI's perspective, the fatwas' issued by the organization failed to calculate the risk and effects that could emerge from its issuance.

Hendardi argued that An Najah's arrest should act as a momentum for MUI to seriously reflect and make extra efforts to ensure that the organization does not become an instrument that promotes intolerance.

"Not just the MUI main headquarters, but also MUI branches across multiple levels must [reflect and improve]," said Hendardi.

FRISKI RIANA