JAKARTA - Today's memory, five years ago, December 22, 2020, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) appointed Yaqut Cholil Qoumas as the new Minister of Religion (Menag). Yaqut is seen as able to maintain harmony between religions.
Previously, the leadership of the Minister of Religion, Facrul Razi, often received criticism. Facrul is considered to often advance the agenda of polarizing Muslims. Take for example his steps to raise concerns about veils and cingkrang pants as a manifestation of radicalism.
The presence of the Ministry of Religion is considered a way to bring about harmony among religious people. This condition is because Indonesia is known to be diverse, not uniform. Even though the Minister of Religion who is elected is often those who represent the Islamic religion.
President Jokowi was initially cautious in appointing a Minister of Religion. Jokowi wanted a leader who could understand the inside of religious affairs. Jokowi even had a choice to make Fachrul Razi in his two periods of power since 2019.
The figure who has a military background is considered to be able to bring a big and conducive Ministry of Religion. In fact, it is far from the fire. Fachrul Razi's presence is seen as bringing polarization to Muslims.
Take for example Fachrul's intention to keep the Indonesian people away from radicalism. However, Fachrul actually targeted the agenda so that the civil apparatus of the state should not use veils and cingkrang pants. He considers this a form of radicalism.
Fachrul's desire has been criticized by various parties. The Ministry of Religion is considered incompetent. Resistance to radicalism is not to clothes, but to the opponent of his ideology. The most severe criticism was then echoed by the Chairman of the Ansor GP, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.
"Instead of taking care of what seems to be the Minister of Religion, he is taking care of the substantive one. If in fact, ideologically, it is related between radicalism and terrorism, it is related to the veil, then just issue that regulation."
"(Menag) first learn it, what is radicalism, terrorism is not related to how people dress? If it is not related, why make rules that are not necessary," said Yaqut as quoted by the Tirto website, October 31, 2019.
Jokowi seemed to hear criticism regarding Fachrul's performance. Jokowi then planned to replace Fachrul from the position of Minister of Religion. The wish was fulfilled on December 22, 2020. Jokowi then appointed Yaqut who was often critical of the Ministry of Religion as the new Minister of Religion.
The appointment of Yaqut is expected to maintain religious harmony in Indonesia. Yaqut himself considers the position given as a great trust. He also promised to prioritize religious harmony. The narrative is because all religions have the right to be defended. As a result, Yaqut was only officially inaugurated a day later, December 23, 2020.
"The first thing I do is make religion an inspiration, not an aspiration. That is, that religion, as much as possible, is no longer used as a political tool, either to oppose the government or to seize power or perhaps other goals."
"Why is this important, we know that Indonesia is independent, this country is free from colonial rule because of the struggle of all religions. Not only Islam, Muslims. So it is important that this ukhuwah wathoniyah we revive so that no one group, no one religion claims to own the country. Everyone has the right to own this country," said Yaqut as quoted by VOI in his press conference a day before the inauguration, December 22, 2020.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
Most Popular Tags
#Prabowo Subianto #donald trump #2026 World Cup #bgn #konflik timur tengahPopular
