To MUI, Vice President Ma'ruf Asks To Protect Indonesia From Groups Taking Advantage Of COVID-19 Inflame Distrust Of The Government

JAKARTA - Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin and Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) appealed to all central and regional MUI administrators and members to be in line with the government in handling COVID-19.

"All ranks of the MUI from the center to the regions must not be incompatible. This is something that all must be the same, all must take an active role," said Vice President Ma'ruf at the MUI 46th Milad virtual event at the Vice President's official residence in Jakarta quoted from Antara, Monday, July 26.

The vice president asked all clerics at the central and regional MUI not to allow public distrust of the government in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

"There should not be issues and there should not be groups that use the issue of COVID-19 and economic difficulties in order to build, inflame distrust (distrust) to the government," he stressed.

Ma'ruf also asked all ulemas to place themselves not only as partners of the government but also as an obligation and responsibility to take part in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia.

"We must act not only as partners with the government and not help the government. I repeat once again that our duty is indeed the obligation of the MUI, MUI has obligations, state responsibilities, and religious responsibilities," explained Ma'ruf Amin.

Protecting the community from the spread of COVID-19, continued Ma'ruf, is the obligation of the scholars because it is the maqashid of sharia.

"Facing COVID-19 does not only include our state responsibility (MUI) in protecting the people, society and the people; but also religious responsibility for protecting the souls of the people, including maqashid sharia," he added.

The vice president reminded again with a quote from Sheikh Nawawi Al-Bantani who stated that it is the duty of all Muslims to protect themselves and others from contagion.

"Syekh Nawawi said that it is obligatory to give medicine, seek treatment, and protect oneself from the epidemic. So of course this is the obligation of the MUI and it is our responsibility," he said.