Mualaf Trend Increases in Karawang West Java, 30 Percent Comes from Foreigners

Illustration of the implementation of the reading of the pledge of a new Muslim held at the Al-Akbar National Mosque, Surabaya, Friday (15/3/2024). (ANTARA)

KARAWANG - The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) of Karawang Regency, West Java, said that the phenomenon of new converts is quite high, which is marked by the many people asking for guidance to swear the two sentences of the syahadat.

"If every month, there are almost always new converts. In fact, often in a week there are two to three new converts who come to the Karawang MUI office to ask for guidance on the two-sentence syahadat pledge," said Karawang MUI Secretary I Yayan Sofian, quoted by Antara, Sunday, April 26.

He said that the converts who came to the Karawang MUI office to swear the two sentences of the shahadah came from various circles, from the working class, officials, entrepreneurs, to those with academic backgrounds.

According to him, those who decided to become Muslim in the last year also came from abroad or were registered as foreign nationals.

"About 30 percent of the converts who pledged to convert to Islam at the Karawang MUI office are foreign nationals. They are from China, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand. In addition, there are also those from European countries such as Germany and Finland," said Yayan.

He admitted that he was grateful for the high phenomenon of entering Islam in Karawang. This shows that more and more people are getting guidance or guidance from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala.

For the past year, he said, the Karawang MUI has issued dozens of certificates of entry into Islam or certificates of conversion. Whereas previously, the most was only 20 certificates.

This certificate can be the basis for administrative purposes of population.

Yayan said that the reason they decided to become a Muslim was diverse. Some were because of marriage, interested in Islamic culture, the results of research, hearing the call to prayer and sermons, to those who have reasons for deciding to become a Muslim because of spiritual experience.

It is stated that the condition of becoming a Muslim is to be convinced. While administratively, the requirement is only a photocopy of the ID card/KK, stamp, photo, and making a statement.

"For those who are still underage, there must be parental permission, and if possible, witnesses can be present," he said.

In addition, there are additional terms or conditions for male converts, namely they are required to undergo circumcision (circumcision).

"If they have not been circumcised and have made a pledge to the two sentences of the syahadat, we cannot issue a certificate of a new Muslim," he said.