Indonesian Ambassador Criticizes FPI Press Release on Rizieq Shihab
Translator
Editor
14 October 2020 13:05 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ambassador for Saudi Arabia, Agus Maftuh, on Wednesday criticized the script that was written in Arabic read by the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) regarding the homecoming plans of the organization’s leader, Rizieq Shihab.
“We truly regret the use of the diction i’lan min Makkah al-Mukarramah [announcement from the Holy city of Mecca] which may offend the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said Agus to Tempo on October 14.
According to him, the linguistic choice written in the release could potentially stain the purity of Mecca and said it can arguably be seen as an attempt to politicize Mecca. He maintains that the Holy City is not the place to call for revolution against an official and constitutional form of government.
The Ambassador then encouraged people to tread carefully in choosing words in Arabic that can potentially spread more trouble in the future.
FPI leader currently in self-exile Rizieq Shihab had been reported by FPI to be preparing to return to Indonesia in a press release issued in three languages; English, Indonesian, and Arabic. FPI also claims Rizieq’s ban from the local government had been lifted, which was argued by the Indoensian government in a previous report.
Read also: Govt Unaware of Lifted Ban Against FPI's Rizieq Shihab
FRISKI RIANA
