Vice President Urges MUI to Have Strategic Plan in Serving Muslims and Partnering with the Government

Jakarta, wapresri.go.id – The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) plays important role in serving the Muslim community and partnering with the government. Therefore, it is expected that MUI should have a strategic plan to play its roles.

“Today, as Chair of the Advisory Council of the MUI, I was discussing issues with the MUI leaders about MUI’s programs especially concerning redefining partnership program with the government and service program for the people,” said Vice President (VP) Ma’ruf Amin in his press statement after attending the MUI Leaders’ Meeting, at the MUI Office, Jalan Proklamasi Number 51, Central Jakarta, Tuesday (28/06/2022).

One of the issues of concern to the Vice President is how to anticipate the scarcity of animal sacrifice (qurban) due to the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak on cattle animals. He assured that the government would maintain sufficient stock of animal meat by importing it from uninfected areas and adopting price control.

“The government will meet the needs of animal sacrifice and control the price,” he said.

Regarding this issue, he said that MUI has also issued a fatwa regarding guidelines for the implementation of animal sacrifice service in the midst of the FMD outbreak, especially by allowing the use of animals affected by FMD with mild clinical symptoms.

“If the symptoms of FMD in the animal are mild, according to the MUI fatwa, it can still be allowed for animal sacrifice,” explained the Vice President.

Another issue that is discussed with MUI leaders today, Vice President said, is the polemic about the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The Vice President explained that the MUI fatwa had so far prohibited the use of marijuana. However, according to him, MUI needs to make an exception on marijuana for medical purposes by putting forward a new fatwa.

“I ask MUI to immediately make a fatwa to be a guide, but make sure it does not overdo and cause harm,” he said.

Closing his press statement, the Vice President responded to the case of Surabaya District Court which legalized interfaith marriage, while MUI strictly banned it.

“The fatwa has been made for a long time since I was the head of the Fatwa Commission of MUI,” the Vice President confirmed.

“The decision of Surabaya District Court is not in line with the MUI’s fatwa. Thus, a legal step will be discussed at the MUI Legal Commission, as the fatwa clearly states that interfaith marriage is not allowed,” he concluded.

Present at the meeting today, some MUI leaders, are including Marsudi Syuhud, Basri Bermanda, M. Cholil Nafis, M. Asrorun Ni’am Sholeh, and Amirsyah Tambunan. Meanwhile, the Vice President was accompanied by the Vice President Special Staff Masykuri Abdillah, Masduki Baidlowi, and Lukmanul Hakim, as well as Private Secretary of the Vice President Sholahudin Al Aiyub. (EP/DMA/LHS, BPMI-Setwapres)