TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Islamic organization Muhammadiyah Youth Center Chairman Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak demanded Ministry of Religious Affairs call off the determination of national Islamic preachers or mubaligh. According to Dahnil, the regulation would spark conflict within the ulema.
“This would create the public or preachers mistrusting the government. It’s not good for our way of living in this nation,” said Dahnil via a sound recording received by Tempo yesterday.
Earlier, Ministry of Religious Affairs issued a recommendation of 200 preachers in a list to the public. The government, Dahnil added, should not doubt to revoke the progress.
However, Dahnil understood that the government has a concern to issue the list particularly regarding the issue of a preacher who did not teach the value of Pancasila (state ideology) and nationality. He then suggested the government to summon those preachers for a dialogue.
Furthermore, he agreed that the social life in Indonesia has indeed been formed since long ago through preacher’s speeches who continue to integrate the values of Pancasila and nationality in their lectures. Many preachers including from Muhammadiyah, he noted, have a strong commitment on the matter.
According to Dahnil, the regulation on listing the preacher is a counterproductive effort that would potentially spark discordance and dispute among the public. Thus, he urged the government to review the plan despite his name was listed among others 200 mubaligh. “I don’t deserve it.”
IMAM HAMDI
