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