PWI LS Vs FPI Clashes: Religion Is Not A Legitimate Tool For Power Or Group Domination

JAKARTA Two mass organizations, the Struggle of Walisongo Indonesia Laskar Sabillah (PWI LS) and the Islamic Brotherhood Front (FPI), were involved in clashes due to the pros and cons of the presence of Muhammad Rizieq Shihab at a recitation event in Pemalang, Central Java. This sepert dispute is a bad precedent that can strengthen the negative stigma against Islam.

The clash occurred when Rizieq attended the Da'wah Safari event in Pemalang, Central Java, Wednesday (23/7/2025), at around 23.00. The PWI LS mass from the start had indeed opposed Rizieq, the founder of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) mass organization, which had been dissolved by the government, came to the event.

In the clashes, as many as nine people were injured, including four members of the Pemalang Police who tried to stop the brawl.

Pemalang Police Chief AKBP Eko Sunaryo in Pemalang, Thursday, July 24, 2025, said that prior to the incident, as a form of anticipatory steps, the police held a coordination meeting to secure the Da'wah Safari recitation by Muhammad Rizieq Shihab.

"At the meeting, representatives of the regional government, Kodim 0711/Pemalang, Polres, and elements of the FPI and PWI LS mass organizations were attended. From the meeting, it was agreed that a joint statement letter containing a number of commitments to the activity was agreed," he said as quoted by Antara.

The clashes involving PWI LS and FPI then became the focus of many parties. Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) cadre Mohammad Masruri said that Haul KH Hasyim and Tabligh Akbar's activities should be a space for worship and friendship. However, the event turned into a stage for open conflict, which sparked public unrest.

In plain view, said Masruri, this incident could be seen as friction between mass organizations. However, if observed more deeply, there is a symbol and narrative war that is being played.

FPI, according to Masruri, has a frontal, hard, and revivistic da'wah style, with the vision of upholding amar ma'ruf nahi munkar directly and firmly. On the other hand, PWI LS, which is more rooted in Islamic boarding school traditions and cultural values of the archipelago, puts forward a more contextual and nationalist da'wah approach.

"In the context of the haul which was also attended by the central figure of FPI, Habib Rizieq Shihab, there appeared a symbolic stage struggle: who is more worthy of being trusted by the people as a representation of Islam in public spaces," Masruri wrote.

After the incident, both parties continued the fight on social media. Clarifications were made to each other in an effort to influence public opinion. Here, people are confused. People who should have received a spiritual shower, are actually treated to a spectacle of violence on behalf of religion.

Police officers were on guard at the Muharam month recitation location which presented Muhammad Rizieq Shihab in Pegundan Village, Petarukan District, Pemalang Regency, Central Java, Wednesday (23/7) night. (Central Java Police Public Relations)

Masruri emphasized that such a dispute is a bad precedent that can strengthen negative stigma against Islam. For the general public, it is difficult to distinguish which one is right when two Islamic banners fight each other in public.

"It is unavoidable, the image of Islam as a religion of rahmatan lil alamin is tarnished by the actions of some elements," he said.

Now the question is who is hanging from this conflict. On the one hand, FPI is considered to have regained its existence in the midst of stagnation after being dissolved by the state a few years ago. Through this conflict, they won sympathy and spotlight from a militant base that wanted their revival.

On the other hand, PWI LS, which was previously only known locally, has now received the national stage, and has expanded the reach of its influence and socio-political networks.

Furthermore, Masruri also suspects that there is a possibility of the role of political actors who ride this situation to build a religious-based support base ahead of the 2029 political year.

"The conflict is not only a matter of physical conflict, but also about who is able to capitalize on moments for strategic purposes," he explained.

Islam Is Not Exclusive Belonging To One Group

Meanwhile, Deputy Rais Aam PBNU KH Afifudin Muhajir urged the government to mediate in the horizontal conflict. According to him, those who have the obligation to mediate are those who have power, especially the structural power of the government or cultural power such as the ulama and so on.

"But the biggest responsibility remains in the hands of the state, it must intervene," he said.

He explained that this conflict was contrary to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Regarding loving or hating, the Prophet Muhammad, he said, advocated naturally, not excessive. The man who is familiarly called Kiai Afif also injured Islam itself.

The same thing was also conveyed by Mohammad Masruri. He said, if left without solving the root of the problem, it is not impossible that a similar conflict will repeat itself. He considered that behind the scenes there was an attempt to master the discourse on Islam in public spaces which is now increasingly open and unstoppable.

The scene of the clash between FPI and PWI LS in Pemalang (Photo: screenshot of photos circulating on social media)

Religion, said Masruri, should be a guideline for life that brings peace, not a tool of legitimacy of power or group domination. When Islamic organizations clash openly, what is tarnished is not only the name of the organization, but also the face of Islam in the eyes of society.

"Islam is not exclusive to one group or one ideological color, but a universal teaching that upholds common sense, gentleness, and the unity of the people," he said.

"The events in Pemalang should be a reflection that we need a cooler, more solutive, and grounded da'wah approach. It takes more scholars to embrace, not just lecturers who crash," Masruri concluded.