Ulemas on the censors' board<\/p>\n
The controversy that has been raging during the past fortnight
\nover the film True Lies touches another, more essential,
\ndimension: that of the role of the ulemas (Moslem religious
\nleaders) as an institution, particularly in minimizing the
\nnegative impacts of entertainment events.<\/p>\n
Two weeks ago, the Majelis Ulama Indonesia (Indonesian Council
\nof Ulemas) threatened to withdraw its representatives from the
\nFilm Censorship Board (BSF). It appears to have made true that
\nthreat. Two MUI members -- who had been representing the voice of
\nthe ulemas -- were absent from the board's plenary meeting which
\nwas assembled to discuss the film True Lies on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
It is not clear whether the MUI's decision is final. However,
\nthe action appears to have been prompted by dissatisfaction over
\nthe board's working mechanism so far. To us, the business that is
\nstill unfinished concerns not so much the question of whether or
\nnot the MUI is represented on the Film Censorship Board, but how
\nthe ulemas -- as guardians of the believers' morals -- can play
\ntheir role effectively and with quality in taking film censorship
\ndecisions. Even up to 10 MUI representatives on the board, for
\ninstance, would carry little meaning if they cannot show their
\nquality as ulemas.<\/p>\n
The MUI's declaration that their representatives in the Film
\nCensor Board are inactive should, therefore, not be seen as final
\nand non-negotiable. It would be wiser to use the case as an
\nopportunity for introspection by the various parties involved. It
\nwould seem that the MUI should carefully consider the quality,
\nthe capacities and the integrity of the people it wants to put on
\nthe Film Censorship Board, or whatever it may be called in the
\nfuture. This involves not only their perception as ulemas and as
\nscholars, but also their sense of artistry.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ulemas-on-the-censors-board-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }