Amazing Ma'ruf Amin Wishes Merry Christmas In Today's Memory, December 25, 2018

Ma'ruf Amin, who was once the General Chair of MUI in the 2015-2020 era. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Today's memory, six years ago, December 25, 2018, the virtual world was shocked because Ma'ruf Amin wished him a Merry Christmas. Ma'ruf Amin's remarks brought a stir because he was a vice presidential candidate and the inactive Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).

Previously, MUI had issued a fatwa prohibiting Muslims from celebrating Christmas. This condition is because celebrating Christmas can be damaged by Muslims. Those who celebrate Christmas are considered part of the Christians.

Ma'ruf Amin's presence as a vice presidential candidate to accompany Joko Widodo (Jokowi) for the 2019 Election brought a stir. Ma'ruf is considered not to want to give up his position as Chairman of the MUI. This condition brings a conflict of interest in terms of MUI policies.

Take for example during Christmas celebrations. The MUI Fatwa Commission once issued a fatwa regarding the prohibition of celebrating Christmas in 1981. The fatwa emphasized that attending a joint Christmas ceremony for Muslims is haram.

This condition was also strengthened by the presence of the MUI fatwa which prohibited the use of non-Muslim religious attributes to Muslims in 2016. The fatwas issued by the MUI are considered as part of maintaining tolerance and respecting other religions.

This condition made MUI appreciate the ulama who forbade Muslims to say Merry Christmas. MUI said not saying Merry Christmas is a form of tolerance. Muslims do not interfere with the Christmas implementation. Christians do not burden Muslims to say Christmas.

Not finished with concerns, Ma'ruf likes to act on a breakthrough by wishing Christians a Merry Christmas celebration on December 25, 2018. He is the only MUI chairman to say Christmas to the public for the first time.

"For our Christian brothers, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a new year. Good luck," said Ma'ruf in his video spread across cyberspace on December 25, 2018.

The words brought a stir. The narrative arose because Ma'ruf was the Chairman of the MUI. Even though he was inactive. Maruf's words brought the meaning that MUI supported Christmas greetings. MUI itself denied that Merry Christmas Ma'ruf was in his capacity as General Chair of the MUI.

This condition is because MUI has not announced an official statement. MUI has not issued a circular regarding prohibiting or supporting Christmas greetings. However, in MUI capacity, the ulama always respect scholars who prohibit Christmas greetings. Not supportive.

"In connection with the controversy in the midst of society, it is permissible and or is not permissible for Muslims to wish them a Merry Christmas. The controversy seems to be increasingly prominent after KH Ma'ruf Amin cawapres candidate pair number 01 which is also the General Chairperson of MUI delivering Christmas greetings broadcast by various media in the country. "

"So for clarity for the community about this problem. So I hereby as the Secretary General of MUI convey that MUI has never issued a fatwa about whether or not Muslims should wish those who celebrate it, "said MUI Secretary General Anwar Abbas as quoted on Detik.com page, December 25, 2018.