MUI to issue edict on election

MUI to issue edict on election

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) will cap its
ongoing national meeting on Tuesday by issuing a recommendation
regarding the 2004 elections.

Chairman of the event's organizing committee Ichwan Sam said
the recommendation was being discussed by the council's edict-
making body.

He said the recommendation would be addressed to both
political parties and voters, and was aimed at greater democracy.

He said political parties would be asked not to abuse verses
of the Koran for the sake of their political interests, and
called on voters to exercise wisdom when responding to such
parties.

The MUI would also issue edicts on terrorism, bank interest
and the way in which the start of Ramadhan should be determined.
The council will also criticize a number of bills for violating
sharia, including draft laws on interreligious harmony and
pornography. -- Antara