PGI Optimistic Minister Of Religion Yaqut Can Take Wise Decisions On The Fate Of The HKI Juanda Church

Photo: Special

JAKARTA - Member of the PGI Justice and Peace Advocacy Division, Juandi Gultom, believes that the Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas will provide good news regarding the issue of the Juanda HKI Church which is threatened with being evicted because it is inside the Campus complex of the Indonesian International Islamic University (UIII).

The UIII complex was built on an area of 142.5 ha in Depok City and has started its first lecture since September 27, 2021. This campus was built based on Presidential Regulation Number 57 of 2016 which was signed by President Joko Widodo with the status of a State University of the Legal Agency (PTN BH).

Meanwhile, HKI Juanda itself has been around for the last nine years, routinely carrying out worship to serve 200 congregations.

For Juandi, Yaqut is a minister who has brought many changes within the body of the ministry of religion.

"His statement at the beginning of his inauguration to become a minister, said that he was a Minister for all religions, it was a breath of fresh air for minority and marginalized groups and had changed the image of the ministry of religion itself," Juandi said in a statement to reporters, Saturday, June 15.

Yaqut is also considered to have shown his partisanship with groups that have had difficulty obtaining a permit for places of worship through the Religious Moderation Program. Not to mention, a circular stating that the offices of the Ministry of Religion can be used as places of worship for pilgrims who do not yet have places of worship.

"Looking at the track record, I am optimistic that the decision that will be taken by Gus Men regarding the existence of HKI Juanda at the UIII Campus Complex is the wisest decision," said Juandi.

According to Juandi, the Minister of Religion's decision will certainly not only look at the legal context alone. But also consider the sociological and historical aspects.

"Especially to fulfill the right to worship for citizens as guaranteed by the Constitution," said Juandi.

Previously, Member of Commission VIII DPR RI from the PKB faction, Luqman Hakim, confirmed that the Minister of Religion, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, would resolve the issue of the HKI Juanda Church.

Because according to him, so far Minister of Religion Yaqut has paid serious attention to the problems of building houses of worship, including churches.

"As a member of Commission VIII, I believe that the Minister of Religion Gus Yaqut has serious concerns regarding the construction of houses of worship," Luqman said when contacted, Friday, June 7.

"I can confirm that Gus Yaqut already has a concrete settlement plan on the problem of the HKI Juanda Church," he added.

So far, HKI Juanda has received support from PGI, GUSDURian Network, Journalistic Union for Diversity (SEJUK), One Justice Foundation (YSK), Solidarity for Victims of Religious Freedom and Belief (KKB) to take care of their fate.

The HKI Juanda Advocacy Coalition has held an audience with UIII and the Ministry of Religion's Director of Islamic Higher Education. The results of the hearing will soon be brought to the Minister of Religion to get the final results.