Acehnese Ulama Convey Five Points to Governor Mualem During Eid al-Adha Gathering

During a visit to mark the Eid al-Adha 1447 H celebrations, Aceh’s religious leaders, members of the Leadership of the Ulama Consultative Council (MPU), presented several important points to Governor Muzakir Marga (Mualem). The gathering, intended to foster community ties, took place at the Governor of Aceh’s residence on Wednesday.

The delegation, led by MPU Chairman Teungku Faisal Ali, also included several prominent religious scholars. In a warm and familial atmosphere, Teungku Faisal Ali presented several matters concerning the community to Governor Muzakir Manaf.

First, regarding the hydrometeorological flood disasters that struck Aceh in late 2025, Abu Faisal Ali requested that the Governor urge the central government to accelerate disaster recovery efforts, which remain unfinished. He noted that significant obstacles persist on the ground, particularly regarding educational infrastructure, community economic centres, and public facilities. He emphasised the need to expedite the reconstruction of residents’ homes and bridges, noting that delays in national roads, such as in Bireuen, have disrupted the local economy and led to rising basic commodity prices.

Second, the delegation raised concerns regarding environmental degradation in Aceh, which they attributed to illegal mining, such as illegal gold mining. They expressed fear that mercury waste is destroying fish habitats and other river ecosystems, posing a continuous threat and creating disease sources for local residents who consume river resources.

Regarding the 33rd National Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur’an (MTQ) in 2028, which Aceh has been appointed to host by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Teungku Faisal advised the Governor to immediately form a committee to begin early preparations. He suggested establishing strategic locations for the MTQ arenas, preparing necessary infrastructure, and allocating a two-year budget to ensure all needs are met.

The Governor, accompanied by senior regional officials, welcomed the suggestions. The third point raised concerned Aceh’s special autonomy, specifically regarding halal certification for MSME products. The leaders suggested that the authority for halal certification in this Sharia province should be mandated through the LPPOM MPU Aceh to uphold the province’s unique legal status (Qanun) and to prevent the loss of regional original income (PAD).

The fourth issue concerned the strengthening and implementation of the Governor’s instructions regarding congregational prayers and religious activities. The MPU leaders called for serious follow-up from all Aceh Regional Government Agencies (SKPA) and Mayors/Regents to revitalise Islamic teachings, particularly among youth, to prevent them from being distracted by late-night socialising in coffee shops. Furthermore, they requested the Governor to officially appoint permanent heads for the Aceh Sharia Office and the Aceh Dayah Education Office to ensure effective implementation of Sharia law.

Finally, the fifth point addressed the flexibility of budget usage by the Aceh Baitul Mal. The leaders suggested that the Governor implement policies to refine regulations, allowing zakat, alms, and other funds to be utilised more effectively for the community’s welfare. They noted that current regulations remain a hurdle, resulting in significant unabsorbed budgets.