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๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ Indonesia /Culture & Society

MUI Says No Communication on Fadli Zon's 'Day of Trust in God' Declaration

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Indonesia's Islamic Council (MUI) stated they had no prior communication with Minister of Culture Fadli Zon regarding his declaration of July 13 as "Day of Trust in God."
  • MUI's Deputy Chairman KH Cholil Nafis expressed a lack of understanding regarding the urgency and reasoning behind the chosen date.
  • Fadli Zon cited Article 32, Paragraph 1 of the 1945 Constitution, which mandates the state to promote national culture, as the basis for his declaration.

Indonesia's top Islamic body, the Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI), has stated it was not consulted by Minister of Culture Fadli Zon concerning his recent declaration of July 13 as the "Day of Trust in God Almighty."

There has been no communication with MUI.

โ€” KH Cholil NafisConfirming the lack of consultation regarding the new holiday.

KH Cholil Nafis, the Deputy Chairman of MUI, confirmed that there had been no communication with the ministry regarding this designation. He expressed that MUI is unaware of the urgency or the specific reasons why July 13 was chosen for this observance. "We don't know the reason for the date and its urgency," Nafis stated.

Previously, Minister Fadli Zon explained that the declaration was a responsibility stemming from the mandate of law and the constitution. He referred to Article 32, Paragraph 1 of Indonesia's 1945 Constitution, which states: "The state advances the national culture of Indonesia amidst world civilization by guaranteeing the people in maintaining and developing their cultural values."

We don't know the reason for the date and its urgency.

โ€” KH Cholil NafisExpressing MUI's lack of understanding about the designation.

While Fadli Zon's statement implies a constitutional basis for promoting cultural values, including faith, the lack of consultation with MUI, a significant religious authority, has raised questions. The MUI's stance indicates a potential disconnect in the process of establishing such national observances.

The state advances the national culture of Indonesia amidst world civilization by guaranteeing the people in maintaining and developing their cultural values.

โ€” Fadli ZonQuoting Article 32, Paragraph 1 of the 1945 Constitution to justify the declaration.
DistantNews Editorial

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