MUI's edict

MUI's edict

I very much regret one of the edicts that the Indonesian Ulema
Council (MUI) issued in its recent national conference, namely
the one about Ahmadiyah being a heretical Islamic sect. This
edict has caused anarchic acts to be carried out against several
institutions owned by Ahmadiyah, such as its campus, mosques and
schools.

Labeling a particular sect as heretical requires honesty and
transparency. In this context, we must view the problem with a
clear mind and must not simply lash out at a particular sect and
call it heretical.

Ahmadiyah must not be reduced to a sect contradicting the
Islamic aqidah (faith) simply because they believe that Mirza
Ghulam is the last prophet. In this regard, it must be borne in
mind that Islam has a principle that Muslims always adhere to
strictly, that is, khairu al-umuri ausathuha, or the best of
things is that which is in the middle course. This means that
there must be balance in one's application of a rule. One must
not lean too far to the right nor too far to the left. Muslims
have been created as ummatan wasathan, a concept that should not
be interpreted as simply people standing in a neutral position
amidst those professing Christianity, Judaism and other
religions, but, rather, as a piece of advice that in every matter
Muslims must practice moderation, including, of course, in
dealing with the Ahmadiyah sect.

ACHSIN E-QUDSY
Jakarta