Ustaz Das'ad Latif Urges Residents Not To Be Provoked By The Burning Of The Pulpit Of The Makassar Grand Mosque

Religious leader Ustadz Das'ad Latif at the Makassar Police Station/PHOTO ANTARA

MAKASSAR - Religious leader Ustadz Das'ad Latif appealed to the public not to be provoked by the burning of the pulpit of the Great Mosque of Makassar, South Sulawesi.

"Alhamdulillah, we Makassar people were not provoked, with this. That's why I made a statement that there was no connection with provocation, this was purely criminal and handed it over to the police," said Ustaz Das'ad at the Makassar Police Headquarters, quoted by Antara, Saturday, September 25.

The perpetrator of the burning of the pulpit of the Makassar Grand Mosque with the initials KB (27) was arrested by the police on Tinumbu Lorong Street 142, Bontoala District. The police named him a suspect.

The perpetrator deliberately set fire to the pulpit of the Grand Mosque on Saturday, September 25 in the morning at around 01.17 WITA with the motive of being hurt by being reprimanded by the security forces at the local mosque.

Ustaz Das'ad said from the incident, it is possible that someone deliberately provoked an incident like this without accurate and correct information.

As a da'wah activist, Ustaz Das'ad appreciates that the community is not easily provoked and is advised not to be provoked by this incident. Of course, the community shows maturity in responding to this issue.

"Respect for the police officers with all their weaknesses and strengths is able to reveal this. We hope that this case is truly disclosed in a professional manner and provides the fairest possible justice," said the famous lecturer.

With this incident, said Ustaz Das'ad, there is a lesson behind it. According to him, the incident was also a correction for the mosque management to be sensitive to the things that triggered the perpetrators' actions.

"Indeed, there are times when mosque administrators are told to leave. In fact, it may be that the person does not have a place to rest, seek peace of mind. That is a correction for all of us," he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairperson of the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI) H. Syarifuddin said he had conveyed to all levels of mosque management to pay attention. In addition, be aware of every movement of people who are considered suspicious.

"All mosque administrators need to tighten security. Many come just to sleep in the mosque so that it is properly guarded. The mosque administrator manages all the main equipment for security, cleanliness, or the rest of the studies. It needs to be organized and alert," he said.