MUI Calls Muslims to Remain Calm following President Macron's Statement

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) deputy, Muhyiddin Junaidi, called for the public to not be provoked and maintain peace following the call to boycott French products. The call for a boycott was sparked by the statement made by President Emmanuel Macron towards the vile killing of a French teacher who drew the Prophet Muhammad, which is widely considered a blasphemy. 

“For fellow Muslim brothers and sisters and Indonesians in general, you may express yourselves but in an orderly fashion and not in a damaging way,” said the MUI deputy on Thursday, October 30. 

Calls for boycotts have emerged in a number of countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

This comes as President Emmanuel Macron had announced plans for an Islamic revolution that suits the values of the Republic of France. 

Junaidi also said that he believes the Indonesian government will take diplomatic steps that will not harm the relations between Indonesian and France and calls for the government to summon the French Ambassador to ask for clarification. 

According to Junaidi, the MUI regrets the statement made by Macron which the organization believes has discredited Islam and may potentially cause a major divide. 

Read: MPR Deputy: Macron Should Refer to ECtHR in Terms of Islamic Blasphemy

ANTARA