Jusuf Kalla Urges All Mosque Administrators Throughout Indonesia To Be Vigilant

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI) Jusuf Kalla (JK) asked all mosque administrators in Indonesia to increase vigilance and immediately report to the authorities if they see anything suspicious.

This was conveyed by Jusuf Kalla in his written statement in Jakarta, Saturday, September 25 in response to the burning of the pulpit at the Makassar Grand Mosque.

"I hope that mosque administrators in Indonesia will increase their vigilance and immediately report to the authorities if they see anything suspicious," Kalla said in Jakarta, Saturday, September 25.

This increased vigilance also needs to be carried out considering that recently the criminalization of ulama has been reoccurring, said the 10th and 12th Vice Presidents of the Republic of Indonesia.

Jusuf Kalla also expressed his concern about the recent cases of violence that befell a number of ulemas or religious leaders.

"Moreover, recently the criminalization of ulama has started to happen again. Hopefully, the police together with the community can prevent such cases from happening in the future," he explained.

Meanwhile, regarding the burning of the pulpit of the Makassar Grand Mosque, Jusuf Kalla as the Head of DMI entrusted the police to investigate and reveal the motive behind the arson. He also asked the public not to be provoked by such actions.

"I believe and trust that the police will immediately reveal the perpetrators. I hope that the public, especially Muslims in Makassar and other areas in Indonesia, will not be provoked by these actions," he said.