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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Karawang Ulema Council to Form Mualaf Center Amid Rising Foreign Converts

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) in Karawang plans to establish a Mualaf Center to provide religious guidance to an increasing number of foreign converts to Islam.
  • The center aims to offer more structured religious education and a community space for new Muslims, including foreigners.
  • MUI Karawang notes that nearly every month, foreigners from countries like China, Japan, and South Korea convert to Islam, with about 30% of all converts being foreign nationals.

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) in Karawang, West Java, is planning to establish a Mualaf Center in response to a notable rise in foreign nationals embracing Islam in the region. This initiative aims to provide more structured and comprehensive religious guidance for these new converts.

We don't have a Mualaf Center yet. It's just a wish. Hopefully, we can cooperate with Baznas so that the guidance for converts can run better.

— KH Tajuddin NurThe Chairman of MUI Kabupaten Karawang discusses the current lack of a dedicated center for new Muslim converts.

KH Tajuddin Nur, Chairman of MUI Kabupaten Karawang, explained that the council currently lacks a dedicated center for post-conversion guidance. "We don't have a Mualaf Center yet. It's just a wish. Hopefully, we can cooperate with Baznas (National Amil Zakat Agency) so that the guidance for converts can run better," he stated. The proposed center is envisioned not only as a place for basic Islamic education but also as a hub for social connection among new Muslims, fostering a sense of community and continuity in their faith journey.

The plan comes amid a growing number of foreign nationals converting to Islam at the MUI Karawang office, with nearly every month seeing new individuals taking their shahada (declaration of faith). MUI records indicate that approximately 30% of all converts they guide are foreign nationals hailing from countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Germany, and Finland.

We want there to be a kind of reunion or meeting of our brothers and sisters who have converted to Islam. That way, the guidance can be more sustainable.

— KH Tajuddin NurThe Chairman of MUI Kabupaten Karawang expresses the desire for a community space for new Muslims.

Kiai Tajuddin attributes this trend to divine guidance (hidayah) but also points to the welcoming nature of Indonesian society and the positive interactions foreigners have with Muslims as significant factors. He noted that similar increases in conversions, including those of Indonesian non-Muslims, are also being observed in other West Javanese cities like Sukabumi, Indramayu, and Tasikmalaya. The MUI hopes the Mualaf Center will strengthen the faith and commitment of these new Muslims, ensuring their spiritual journey extends beyond the initial declaration of faith.

From the MUI side, we have good thoughts. Guidance is from Allah. Besides that, the friendliness of Indonesian society is also an attraction so that they are interested in knowing Islam.

— KH Tajuddin NurThe Chairman of MUI Kabupaten Karawang attributes the increase in conversions to divine will and Indonesian hospitality.
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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