Mahfud MD: Cooperation Between Ulama And Government Is Important To Protect The Country

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD/DOK VIA ANTARA

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD emphasized that cooperation between the government and ulama is very important to protect the country.

According to Mahfud, with this cooperation, it is hoped that the duties of diniyah, in the sense of maintaining freedom of worship and religion and the task of guarding the nation (wathoniah) will be in sync.

"Working with the ulama is important. Because the ulama provide moral guidance, both to the government and the people," said Mahfud when he was a resource person at the Gathering of Ulama, Umaro, TNI, Polri and interfaith leaders held by Jami'iyyah Ahlith Thariqah al - Mu'tabarah an-Nahdiliyyah (Jatman) online quoted by Antara, Thursday, November 18.

In the event, which was initiated by the chairman of Jatman Habib Luthfi bin Yahya, Mahfud explained that in a state there are three elements, namely the people, the government, and the region. In the midst of the people there are scholars who bridge and play a role in guiding the people.

"Here, the role of the ulama is to bridge between the government and the people, where sometimes there are differences, between policies and the people's response. Ulama can advise the government. But they can also give advice to the people," said Mahfud.

Mahfud MD reiterated that the government is not anti-criticism, but instead opens the door to incoming criticism.

"The government is always open to criticism, because the government is also a human being, who must have made mistakes and made mistakes. Criticism leads to the way of goodness. Please criticize the government, we are never anti-criticism, but also give the government an opportunity to answer criticism with data," he said.

Mahfud also invited the scholars to cooperate with the government, because the majority of Islam adheres to Wasathiyah Islam which can accept differences, and work with anyone for mutual progress.