MUI To Yahya Waloni: Converts To Study First

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Cholil Nafis responded to Ustaz Yahya Waloni's lecture which was heavily criticized on social media. Yahya Waloni talks about himself having accidentally hit a dog.

Cholil criticized the statement. According to him, as a convert or someone who had a religion other than Islam, Yahya Waloni should learn more before preaching.

"Converts should learn first, don't rush to become Ustadz. People should also look for speakers who can recite and have knowledge. This needs guidance unless you don't want to", Cholil said in his Twitter account, @cholilnafis, quoted by VOI on Thursday, February 18.

"Converts must not discredit previous religions, they must not hate Allah's creatures, even if they are dogs", he continued.

For information, Yahya Waloni's confession was broadcast on the YouTube Hadits TV account on Saturday, February 13. He seemed to be giving a lecture when he suddenly told me that he had accidentally hit a dog in Kemuning District, which is located on the border between Riau and Jambi.

Yahya, who was driving his vehicle, hit a dog which resulted in a limp. "I also hit a dog, I don't know whose. He limped his leg. I still brake the goat, but I saw a dog, unclean I shot the one in front", he said.

Responding to this, the Head of Animal Defender Indonesia Doni Herdaru said that dog saliva is indeed unclean in Islam, but that does not mean that they can act cruelly to these animals.

"It should be remembered that in Islam dogs are unclean but there is no reason to be cruel to them," said Doni.

"In Islam, there are good ways to deal with uncleanness if we are exposed. It does not mean that what is unclean must be eradicated and persecuted", he stressed.

Doni mentioned that all living things created by God certainly have benefits. So, there is no reason to hurt them.

"If you don't like it, there's no need to hurt. That's all. Of course, the Creator doesn't create anything in vain", he said.

Doni challenges Ustaz Yahya to collide with ideas. Because that is what is considered suitable as a form of criticism against Ustaz Yahya Waloni.

"Ideas versus ideas, writing versus writing, speech versus speech. At this point we will consider it", said Doni.

"I think at this point, this opinion or speech needs to be criticized and reminded", he continued