MUI's antipornography movement

MUI's antipornography movement

From Pikiran Rakyat

The moral movement of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI)
against pornography was not only initiated by its central
executives but also resulted from its national meeting in 2000,
national working conference in 2001 and the consensus between MUI
and central boards of other Islamic mass-based organizations, in
response to the negative impact of pornographic material on the
nation's character.

As its first move, MUI had issued a ruling on pornography to
those who claim to be Muslims, long before making its statement
about this issue.

TVRI's Dansa 'Yo Dansa (Let's dance) and other such programs
criticized in the MUI statement, were cited only as some examples
of our national TV entertainment programs considered indecent,
offensive to Muslims, devoid of empathy for current national
conditions, and due to which MUI had received many complaints
from the public -- by mail and telephone.

The programs, unless properly controlled, can promote the
growth of liberal behavior and moral permissiveness dangerous to
character building. Meanwhile, various other porn-related
materials are presented to society by the print and electronic
media, now also under the spotlight of MUI and Islamic bodies.

This antipornography movement is part of a drive against
immorality and depravity launched by MUI and other Muslim
associations. It has gained support from different circles like
non-government organizations, government agencies, attorneys and
non-Islamic parties. All the activities have been undertaken in
line with MUI's moral guidance as well as religious
responsibility. They are also meant to reduce acts of anarchy,
violence and incidents where people take the law into their own
hands, due to impatience with these immoral materials and acts of
depravity.

Therefore, the MUI statement should receive a positive
response instead of negative comments, let alone those that are
prejudiced and provocative, which have even been sent to the mass
media.

HM YACUB NASUTION

MUI Jakarta