MUI Yet to Take Stance on BoP Membership

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has yet to take an official stance on Indonesia’s decision to join the Gaza Board of Peace (BoP), saying it is awaiting a direct explanation from President Prabowo Subianto.

MUI deputy chairman M. Cholil Nafis said the organization would first seek clarification from the President before issuing any institutional position. He added that MUI, together with other Islamic organizations, plans to hold a dialogue with Prabowo to discuss several issues, with Indonesia’s participation in the BoP as the main agenda.

“We want to hold a dialogue about Indonesia’s participation in the Board of Peace. It may later expand to other topics for the good of the nation, possibly including disasters, but the main theme is the Board of Peace,” Cholil said in Jakarta on Tuesday, as quoted by Antara.

Cholil said MUI’s position is grounded in religious teachings and the state constitution. He said Islam, as stated in the Quran, rejects all forms of slavery and oppression against humanity.

He added that this principle aligns with the preamble to the 1945 Constitution, which affirms opposition to all forms of colonialism.

For this reason, Cholil said, MUI wants to carefully review Indonesia’s BoP membership after hearing the President’s explanation. “We want to hear directly from the President why Indonesia joined. We will wait for his explanation, and then we will convey our position,” he said.

Cholil added that MUI has yet to reach a final decision, as it is still awaiting the outcome of internal discussions and further clarification. He said opinions circulating in public do not represent the organization’s official stance.

“So the main points are that we oppose colonialism, we support Palestinian independence and we want what is best, which is world peace. We still do not know the President’s reasons for joining, so we will explain our position after that,” Cholil said. 

Established in 1975, the Indonesian Ulema Council is a national body representing Islamic scholars and organizations that frequently provides religious guidance and policy input to the government. ***