Ahmad Zain's Arrest Is A Momentum For MUI To Improve, Equivalent: Don't Become An Instrument Of Intolerance Promotion

JAKARTA - Chair of the Setara Institute Hendardi asked the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) to make improvements to ensure that the institution is free from acts of intolerance.

This refers to the arrest of member of the MUI Fatwa Commission Ahmad Zain An-Najah by Densus 88 related to the alleged terrorism case.

"An Najah's arrest must be a momentum for serious corrections for MUI to make extra efforts to ensure that MUI institutions do not become instruments for promoting intolerance. Not only MUI at the central level, MUI at various levels must also improve," said Hendardi in his statement, Friday, November 19.

Hendardi considered that the arrest of Ahmad Zain confirmed that intolerance, radicalism, and terrorism had infiltrated various institutions, including the MUI.

He said that the MUI had neglected to maintain Islamic moderation because it allowed terrorism suspects such as Ahmad Zain to be part of the MUI structure.

"Even the Fatwa Commission, a commission that has been producing religious fatwas," he said.

For information, Densus 88 Anti-terror arrested three suspected terrorists of the Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) network. They include Farid Okbah, Ahmad Zain An-Najah, and Anung Al-Hamat. All three have been named as suspects by the Densus.

The suspected terrorist Ahmad Zain was arrested by Densus 88 Anti-terror on Tuesday, November 16. The arrest took place at his residence in the Pondok Melati area, Bekasi, West Java. Ahmad Zain's name is listed on the official MUI website, mui.or.id. Where, he is a member of the Central MUI Fatwa Commission.