Yaqut Says Ministry Of Religion A Gift For NU, PAN: Ministry Of Religion Belongs To Everyone!
Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The National Mandate Party (PAN) considers the statement by the Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Coumas that the Ministry of Religion is a state gift for Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) is controversial and can lead to polemics.

The chairman of the PAN faction of the DPR RI, Saleh Partaonan Daulay, said the statement made by the Minister of Religion at the RMI PBNU webinar on Wednesday, October 20, should not be conveyed by state officials.

 

According to him, apart from not having a true historical basis, this statement can lead to an attitude of exclusivity in society. He was worried that the words of the Minister of Religion of Yaqut would encourage the emergence of a certain group of people who felt they were superior to other groups.

 

"If it is called a gift for NU, it seems that Gus Yaqut wants to say that the ministry of religion belongs only to NU. Other groups are only complementary and regulated parts. They do not have any role and participation in the context of building religious life in Indonesia," said Saleh, Monday, October 25. In fact, continued Saleh, there are many mass organizations and elements of Muslims who are equally involved in the struggle for the independence and unity of Indonesia.

 

"In fact, all groups are equal in the eyes of the law and government. Including in this case, all religious people in Indonesia. They are an integral part that cannot be separated from Indonesian history," said the North Sumatran legislator.

 

Saleh emphasized that such a statement would be very unwise. He hopes that President Jokowi can give warnings and warnings. Because, he said, such statements could set a bad precedent in the future.

 

"If that happens, it will leave many national issues that are not easily resolved," he said. It is possible, continued Saleh, that other elements and mass organizations will emerge claiming to receive prizes from other ministries. For example, receiving prizes from the ministry of education, ministry of health, ministry of social affairs, and others.

 

"That way, the problem will become complicated and complicated. Therefore, claims like this must be stopped so that all parties feel comfortable and not disturbed. It must be ensured that the ministry of religion belongs to all the people," said the former chairman of the PP. Muhammadiyah youth.

 

Saleh asked Minister of Religion Yaqut to apologize to end this polemic and controversy. At least, he said, it could straighten out the misperceptions that had appeared in the community.

 

"That is the best attitude that needs to be exemplified by our leaders and officials. It's better to just apologize. Or correct existing misperceptions. It will not reduce anything. Instead, it can increase the authority and attitude of statesmanship," explained the member of Commission IX of the DPR.

 

Saleh also asked the Minister of Religion to work more seriously in dealing with people's problems. According to him, it will be more productive if the available energy is used to improve the quality of religious education, the quality of Hajj services, increase tolerance and inter/intra-religious relations, and many other aspects of religious life.

 

"Public officials should avoid unnecessary discourse, narrative, and debate. On the contrary, public officials must stand at the forefront to embrace all components of the nation's children," said Saleh.

 

Previously, Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas alias Gus Yaqut called the Ministry of Religion a 'state gift' for Nahdlatul Ulama or NU. Gus Yaqut's statement was delivered at an International Webinar held by RMI-PBNU and uploaded to TVNU's YouTube account, Wednesday, October 20.

In the event, initially Gus Yaqut told of a small debate at the ministry when discussing the matter of the Ministry of Religion. He then revealed that he had a desire to change the logo or tagline of the Ministry of Religion 'Ikhlas Beramal'.

"I said, there is no sincerity, why is it written like that, the name is sincere in the heart, how sincere is it written, yes, this shows that it is not sincere. Sincere doing charity is not good, it's not right when I say it," he added.

According to Gus Yaqut, at that time the debate continued about the history of the origin of the Ministry of Religion. Gus Yaqut said that there was one ustaz who at that time did not agree that the Ministry of Religion should oversee all religions.

"There are those who disagree, 'This Ministry must be the Ministry of Islamic Religion' because the Ministry of Religion is a state gift for Muslims. for NU'. So it's only natural that now NU is taking advantage of the many opportunities that exist in the Ministry of Religion because the prize is for NU," said Gus Yaqut.


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