TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Dozens of Muslim youths and university students from a number of organizations in West Java staged a rally at Gedung Sate in Bandung to protest criminalization against ulemas (Islamic figures) and the disbandment of Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI).
“We represent the alliance of Muslim youths and students to reject the government’s attempt to criminalize ulemas, Islamic activities, and also Islamic movements,” alliance spokesman Fauzi Ihsan Zawir said on Monday, May 22.
Fauzi argues that that the criminalization against ulemas will result in an anti-Islam regime. Fauzi explained that such cases entangling Rizieq Syihab and Muhammad Al Khaththath are examples of the criminalization.
“The criminalization against ulemas has created a domino effect resulting in the disbandment of Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia,” Fauzi explained.
Around 30 Islamic mass organizations from a number of universities in West Java have agreed to urge the government to stop criminalizing ulemas, Islamic activities and Islamic teachings dissemination.
AHMAD FIKRI