Gerindra Party Refuses Kemenag Certification of Mubalig in Today's History, May 22, 2019

History today, eight years ago, May 22, 2018, the Gerindra Party rejected the steps of the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) for the certification of mubalig/Islamic preachers. The rejection was echoed because Kemenag was considered to have no competence in determining which preachers could and could not go up to the pulpit.

Previously, the Ministry of Religion's move to issue a recommendation for a list of 200 names of mubalig who are eligible for sermons brought controversy. The Ministry of Religion is considered to want to close the space for preachers who often criticize the government. Criticism and condemnation also emerged.

There is nothing that can standardize the topics brought by Islamic speakers. They all have their own style and pattern. Some like to bring the topics of faith and morals. There are also those who like to bring everyday topics to the political conditions of Indonesia.

They never felt that anyone was against it even though the sermons sometimes contained criticism of government policies. However, recently the Ministry of Religion thought the opposite. The owner of the power considers that Islamic preachers must have three certain things.

First, the enlightener must have a profound scientific competence. Second, a good reputation. Third, a high commitment to nationality. As a result, surprisingly, the Ministry of Religion released a list of 200 mubalig who were eligible to lecture on May 18, 2018.

The Ministry of Religion seems to guarantee that the speaker is able to maintain the unity and unity of Indonesia. The Ministry of Religion's decision to make a list of 200 mubalig has actually garnered criticism and criticism. The Ministry of Religion is considered only to want to give space to pro-government speakers.

Those who are considered to be against the government are not given space. The Ministry of Religion is seen as interfering with the unity and unity of Indonesia. However, a series of criticisms did not make the Ministry of Religion immediately withdraw the mubalig list.

"The nature of the release is that we are in order to maintain, respond to public demand. We give it to the public. When something they expect and then we pull it out again, it's not in its place."

"So we get these names from the community itself. Through Islamic organizations, through the mosque takmir. Then we gather, and we convey it in the form of a release," said Lukman as quoted by lamantempo.co, May 21, 2018.

Criticism and condemnation do not only come from the ulama. Another criticism comes from the Indonesian political elite. Take the example of the Gerindra Party on May 22, 2018. The party led by Prabowo Subianto considers the list of 200 mubalig issued by the Ministry of Religion to have made a fuss.

The party revealed that the Ministry of Religion, even with its minister, did not have the competence to determine national mubalig. They also do not have the capacity to determine which certification the speaker is eligible or not on the pulpit.

Gerindra Party also asked the Ministry of Religion to immediately withdraw the list of 200 selected muhajirin which had already been issued. This desire was revealed so that there would be no conflict that would lead to division.

"So that it does not cause a commotion, just withdraw it, just withdraw the 200 names. What is the point of it, it only causes division and also raises suspicions," said the Deputy Speaker of the DPR who is also a Gerindra politician, Fadli Zon as quoted by lamankumparan.com, May 22, 2018.