MUI pledges to engage in self-introspection: Yafie

JAKARTA (JP): The influential Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) marked its 24th anniversary on Tuesday by promising to engage in self-introspection and redefine its position in Indonesian society.

Chairman Ali Yafie told Antara the council had now entered a period of redefinition, and a reaffirmation of its role as khadimul ummat (the servant of the people).

"The council will remain steadfast in its duty, namely to provide guidance," he said, adding that by reasserting its role as the servant of the people, the council would always be ready to serve the interests of all people from all walks of life.

"Please come and ask us all kinds of problems. You may be military personnel, teachers or others. We will do our best for you," he said.

Yafie said the council, which will hold its four-day congress starting on Friday, would never become khadimul istana or the servant of the palace. "The congress will hopefully produce a new paradigm, which will differ greatly from the old one."

Established by Soeharto's New Order government, the council was first chaired by one of Indonesia's most esteemed ulema, namely Buya Hamka. The late Buya (Father) was known for his courage to resist Soeharto's pressure at the height of the latter's power; he resigned in the early 1980s over an edict on Muslims celebrating Christmas.

Over the course of its existence, however, the council was also often known as a tool of the government. In the later years of Soeharto's 32-year tenure, for instance, the council was often criticized because it supported the government's repression of Muslim groups.

On Tuesday, Yafie called on Muslims to understand that reforms must be launched without sacrificing the country's safety, national unity and democratization.

"We need people to understand one another so clashes can be avoided," he said.

The congress will discuss a range of contemporary issues, including pornography, gambling and women presidents.(edt/swe)