Avoid Religious Emotions During Elections, Grand Imam Warns

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Grand Imam of Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque Nasaruddin Umar called for the the people not to engage themselves too far in religious emotion as they practice their right to vote in the upcoming 2024 general elections. 

“Religious emotions must not be involved too far in fighting for short-term interests,” said Nasaruddin along with other religious figures in a meeting at the General Elections Commission (KPU) in Jakarta on Friday, May 19, 2023. 

Nasaruddin argued that practicing such restraint is crucial in maintaining religious harmony in a general election. 

“Similar to us as religious leaders, we give somewhat directions to our religious high council members that will help realize religious maturity in facing the democratic festivity,” said Nasaruddin. 

The former Religious Deputy Minister does not deny that it is impossible for religious leaders to absolutely prohibit politics from using religious discussion, for example during campaigns. However, he believes that there are still basic principles that must be adhered to in dealing with conditions like this and asserted that the politicization of religion must be avoided.

"Let's enter the democratic event without hurting our brotherhood with one another,” he asserted. 

Banning politics at Houses of Worship

According to Nasaruddin, religious leaders continue to call for a ban on the use of places of worship for political activities. "If someone displays tendencies towards a political party, they may not use a mosque or other place of worship," he said.

Because of that, Nasaruddin said that with the cooperation between these religious leaders and the KPU, the election conditions would continue to improve.

TIKA AYU

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