The 'Softened' Minister Of Religion: Lecturers Without Certificates Can Still Preach

Illustration of people praying inside the mosque (Angga Nugraha)

JAKARTA - The discourse of the Minister of Religion, Fachrul Razi, who said that lecturers must have a certificate has drawn a storm of criticism from the DPR. After being beaten up by DPR members, the Minister of Religion 'softened up'.

The Minister of Religion Fachrul Razi guaranteed that the preachers - even though some were not yet certified - could still preach safely. This affirmation was made by Fachrul Razi in front of Commission VIII DPR regarding the Certified Lecturer program launched by the Ministry of Religion.

In a Working Meeting with Commission VIII DPR RI, at Nusantara II Building, Senayan, Jakarta, the Minister of Religion emphasized that the Certified Lecturer program is voluntary. This program has no consequences for non-certified lecturers. Moreover, until there is a prohibition on preaching for preachers

Minister of Religion, Fachrul Razi (Irfan Meidianto)

"Certainly it will not happen (cessation of preaching) because it does not have a certificate. But if there is a termination due to lecture content, maybe. But there will never be further instructions to stop the lecture because it does not have a certificate," said the Minister of Religion, Tuesday, September 8.

This affirmation is at the same time to provide assurance to all speakers Especially the lecturers who did not have certificates.

"So there is nothing to be afraid of with this program. The intention of this program is even good, because it wants to increase national insight for the lecturers," said the Minister of Religion.

The Ministry of Religion also involves related institutions in the Program aimed at preachers of all religions and is packaged in this form of training. "We will involve the religious council, for Islam we will involve the MUI. Meanwhile, for other religions, there will be a religious council from each," said the Minister of Religion.

"We also involve BPIP (Pancasila Ideology Development Agency) to deliver material on the four pillars, BNPT (National Counterterrorism Agency) to convey the latest developments on national conditions, and Lemhanas provide material on Trigatra and Pancagatra," added the Minister of Religion.

Cut Mutia Mosque in Jakarta (Photo by Irfan Meidianto)