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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Indonesian MUI Urges Caution on Saudi Statue Misidentification

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Indonesia's MUI cautioned against misidentifying a blue statue named Najma in Saudi Arabia's Al Ula as an idol in Madinah.
  • MUI clarified that the Najma statue is an art installation by Lita Albuquerque, first exhibited in 2020 and later acquired for display.
  • While Al Ula is administratively in Madinah Province, it is geographically distant and not considered a holy site, and Islam prohibits idol worship that disrupts faith.

Indonesia's Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) has urged caution and clarification regarding a blue statue named Najma located in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia. The organization warned against the immediate labeling of the artwork as an idol in Madinah, emphasizing the need for proper understanding of its context and location.

For the Najma statue in Al-Aula, we must first clarify.

— Ustadz Erick YusufUstadz Erick Yusuf, MUI's Deputy Secretary General, emphasized the need for clarification regarding the statue.

Ustadz Erick Yusuf, MUI's Deputy Secretary General for Arts, Culture, and Islamic Civilization, stressed the importance of "tabayun," or clarification, before drawing conclusions about the circulating information. He explained that the Najma statue is not a recent construction but rather an art installation by American artist Lita Albuquerque. It was first showcased during the Desert X AlUla exhibition in 2020, alongside other installations. Following the exhibition, one piece was acquired and placed in the Habitas AlUla area, specifically in Ashar Valley.

The blue statue is an art installation piece in the Desert X AlUla 2020 exhibition. At that time, there wasn't just one piece, but several other art installations.

— Ustadz Erick YusufUstadz Erick Yusuf explained the origin and nature of the Najma statue.

Ustadz Erick also addressed the misconception that the statue is situated within the holy precincts of Madinah. He clarified that while Al Ula falls under the administrative jurisdiction of Madinah Province, it is located approximately 350 to 400 kilometers away from Madinah city and is not part of the Haram area. "Al Ula is indeed within the administrative region of Madinah Province, but it is not Madinah city and not Tanah Haram (holy land). So, people should not misunderstand as if the statue stands in the holy area of Madinah," he stated.

Al Ula is indeed within the administrative region of Madinah Province, but it is not Madinah city and not Tanah Haram. So, people should not misunderstand as if the statue stands in the holy area of Madinah.

— Ustadz Erick YusufUstadz Erick Yusuf clarified the geographical and administrative location of Al Ula in relation to Madinah.

Despite these clarifications, Ustadz Erick reminded the public that Islam maintains clear boundaries concerning statues. If a statue is venerated or worshipped in a way that compromises Islamic creed (akidah) and monotheism (tauhid), it is strictly prohibited. "If a statue is idolized or worshipped in a way that disturbs creed and monotheism, then of course it is not permissible in Islam," he concluded.

If a statue is idolized or worshipped in a way that disturbs creed and monotheism, then of course it is not permissible in Islam.

— Ustadz Erick YusufUstadz Erick Yusuf reiterated Islamic principles regarding the veneration of statues.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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