JK Participates In Azan's Commentary Calling Jihad: That Is Wrong Must Be Corrected

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI), Jusuf Kalla, also commented on the viral video of the call to prayer with the invitation to jihad in the mosque. According to JK, Jusuf Kalla's nickname, this is something that is wrong.

"Azan hayya alal jihad is wrong, it must be straightened out. DMI states officially rejects such matters, ”said JK in an official statement, reported by Antara, Jakarta, Tuesday, December 1.

He explained that jihad should not be understood as a negative context for committing acts of violence in the name of Islam.

"Jihad does not always have a negative meaning because seeking knowledge or accusing it can also be interpreted as jihad. So if you want to jihad, it can be done in pursuing knowledge or accusing," he said.

Previously, videos circulated on social media containing muezzins saying the call to prayer but accompanied by the words of hayya alal jihad in the mosque. The congregation who was around the muezzin then followed the words, clenching their fists.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Religion, Zainut Tauhid, said that the call for jihad in the call to prayer is irrelevant if it is related to Indonesia's current condition.

"If the call is meant to give a message of war, it is clearly irrelevant. Jihad in a peaceful country like Indonesia cannot be interpreted as war, "he said.

He also asked all parties, the ummah and Islamic community organizations (mass organizations) to refrain from taking a persuasive approach and through dialogue in responding to this matter.