Lampung Ministry of Religion Advises Political Parties Not to Use Mosques for Campaigning

Head of the Lampung Ministry of Religion Regional Office Puji Raharjo (ANTARA/Dian Hadiyatna)

BANDAR LAMPUNG - The Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion (Kanwil Kemenag) of Lampung Province appealed to political parties (political parties) not to use mosques as a means of campaigning or socializing.

"I hope politicians don't play identity politics, let alone use mosques as a means for practical political campaigns ahead of the 2024 elections," said Head of the Lampung Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion Puji Raharjo, in Bandar Lampung as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, February 15.

According to him, ahead of the 2024 General Election (Pemilu), the scent of contestation by political parties to attract voters' votes is increasingly being felt with various efforts being made starting from online socialization or online and offline to the public.

"Even to the extent of making massive efforts to increase the popularity and electability of parties and their candidates for legislative members. Including efforts to use identity politics to gain public sympathy," he said.

Puji also reminded the public, especially politicians, to carry out polite and national politics aimed at manifesting the ideals of the proclamation to create a just, prosperous Indonesia in accordance with Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.

"Using mosques for political purposes, especially identity politics is something of concern. We both understand and feel that what happened in the 2019 election was tiring enough and the wounds have not healed to this day," he said.

Mosques should be used as places of worship and not as venues for political campaigns or identity politics. The use of mosques for political purposes can disturb the comfort and safety of worshipers and can tarnish the image of the mosque as a holy place.

"Therefore, politicians should choose another place for their political campaigns and leave the mosque for the sole purpose of worship," he also said.

Minister of Religion H Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said that identity politics by using religious symbols is prone to dividing the people, even endangering the integrity of the nation. Entering the political year, many political actors are narrow-minded in order to smoothen their interests.

The prohibition against using mosques for campaign purposes for the 2024 election has also been contained in Article 280 letter h of Law no. 7 of 2017 concerning Elections.