MUI Calls on Muslims to Win the 'Algorithm War' by Preparing Digital Mujahideen

JAKARTA — The Information, Communication and Digital Commission (Infokomdigi) of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has invited the Muslim community to win the “algorithm war” in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) by preparing digital mujahids capable of mastering technology whilst spreading Islamic values in the digital sphere.

Hari Usmayadi, Chairman of the MUI Infokomdigi Commission, said the challenge of dakwah (Islamic outreach) today is no longer merely about conveying religious material through conventional means. According to him, dakwah must also be able to capture public attention on social media by understanding how algorithms work and leveraging artificial intelligence.

“We are currently facing the phenomenon of the algorithm war,” said Cak Usma, as he is affectionately known, at a workshop entitled “Amplifying Islamic Digital Literacy in the AI Era” held at the Buya Hamka Hall, MUI Central Office, Jakarta, on Wednesday (29/7/2026).

He reminded the audience that soothing, knowledge-based Islamic content must not be drowned out by a flood of instant content deemed damaging to civilisation. He explained that the digital sphere is now rife with problems, from promotions of illegal online loans and LGBT propaganda, to the rise of popular figures offering religious views without an adequate scholarly foundation.

Cak Usma explained that the development of AI presents challenges in the form of rampant content manipulation (deepfakes), the spread of inaccurate information, and religious content circulating without any verification process. However, behind these challenges, AI also opens up great opportunities for Muslims to broaden the reach of dakwah and improve religious literacy.

For this reason, MUI, in its role as Khadimul Ummah (servant of the ummah) and Shadiqul Ummah (partner to society and government), is encouraging the emergence of a generation of Digital Mujahids who are not merely users of technology, but are also capable of mastering the entire process of producing and distributing narratives in the digital space.