Garut Regent Hopes Ulama Take Advantage Of Technological Advances To Prevent Radicalism

Garut Regent Rudy Gunawan delivered a speech during a workshop and book review entitled "Straightening the Nature of the Creed, Bai'at, the Muslim Community, and the Caliph" (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Regent of Garut, West Java, Rudy Gunawan expressed his hope to the ulama to take advantage of technological advances as a means of preaching in preventing intolerance and radicalism which are currently a concern in Garut Regency.

"We should not lose in preaching to those who are secretive, especially now that TV from what time to what time gives tausiyah, provides a straight path," said Rudy as quoted by Antara, Sunday, March 6.

He revealed, during a workshop and book review entitled "Straightening the Nature of the Creed, Bai'at, the Muslim Community, and the Caliph" by KH Aceng Zakaria held by the Persis Garut Islamic High School in Garut, Saturday, based on a report from the central government that The problem of intolerance and radicalism has spread in several sub-districts in Garut Regency.

According to him, the problem in Garut has become a serious concern for the local government and scholars to increase da'wah by using various media, including television.

"We have more than 500 Islamic boarding schools, but intolerance in Garut Regency exceeds the amount that should exist, 41 sub-districts from 42 sub-districts are exposed to intolerance towards radicalism," he said.

He said the local government would collaborate with various policy makers in accordance with the mandate of Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government to maintain security and order in Garut Regency.

"We have the TNI and Polri along with all 'stakeholders', in the end it is the chairman of the court who will decide whether this act will be punished or not," said the Regent.

Garut Police Chief AKBP Wirdhanto Hadicaksono supports what has been designed by the Regent and the Garut Regional Leadership Coordination Forum related to intolerance and radicalism in Garut Regency.

He hopes that there will be a unified movement from all elements of society to eradicate intolerance in Garut Regency because intolerance is the base of division and tolerance is the base of unity.

"Obviously this is for the improvement of Garut Regency in the future, in particular is the handling of currents which of course can break the unity of the people," said the Police Chief.