Conversion cause of concern among MUI branches<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Regional offices of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) are
\ncalling for strong measures to prevent Muslims from converting to
\nother religions.<\/p>\n
Reports presented to a plenary meeting by delegates to the MUI
\ncongress on Wednesday reflected general concerns over the issue
\nof conversion.<\/p>\n
\"The percentage of Muslims in Jakarta has declined from 90
\npercent to 87 percent,\" the Jakarta delegation said in its
\nreport. \"This is because of the large influx of migrants from
\nnon-Muslim areas.\"<\/p>\n
The Jambi delegation said in its report that Christian
\npreachers had penetrated the province and were converting Muslims
\nat an alarming rate.<\/p>\n
\"The phenomenon of the construction of churches in the
\nprovince is most disturbing,\" said the report.<\/p>\n
While Christianity is legal in the predominantly Muslim
\ncountry, proselytizing is not, although such cases rarely make it
\nto trial. Three women are facing trial in the West Java town of
\nIndramayu on charges they sought to convert Muslim children to
\nChristianity two years ago, following a complaint by the MUI.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Banten delegation provided a glowing report on
\nhow they had managed to strengthen the faith of Muslims there and
\nprevented the construction of several churches.<\/p>\n
\"We are proud to report that there is not one single church in
\nCilegon to this day,\" the report said. \"And this is how we intend
\nto keep it.\"<\/p>\n
Cilegon is a regency of Banten where state company PT Krakatau
\nSteel operates.<\/p>\n
In its report, the Bangka-Belitung delegation lamented the
\nelection of a non-Muslim as regent.<\/p>\n
\"We don't understand how a non-Muslim won the election, since
\nMuslims account for 90 percent of the regency's population,\" said
\nthe report. \"We will make sure it won't happen next time.\"<\/p>\n
The Bangka-Belitung delegation, like the other MUI provincial
\noffices, blamed the lack of funds for its inability to prevent
\nsome Muslims from adopting other religions.<\/p>\n
\"More funds are needed so that our preachers can penetrate
\nremote areas,\" the Bangka-Belitung delegation said. \"Under a non-
\nMuslim regent, we expect it will be even tougher for us to
\npreach.\"<\/p>\n
Over 380 MUI executives and provincial representatives from
\nacross the country are attending the five-yearly congress in
\nJakarta, which will wind up on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The council will begin on Thursday its debate on several draft
\nedicts, including those against deviant and liberal Islamic
\nthought.<\/p>\n
The mullahs will also discuss moral issues, particularly the
\nrampant corruption in the country, drug abuse and indecency.<\/p>\n
Another draft edict has also been proposed to support
\ncontroversial Presidential Regulation No. 36\/2005 on land use for
\npublic interests. (002)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/conversion-cause-of-concern-among-mui-branches-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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