The Ministry Of Religion Asks People To Understand Yaqut's Statement With Conscience

Minister of Religion Yaqut/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The Director General of Islamic Community Guidance at the Ministry of Religion, Kamaruddin Amin, invites the masses who want to demonstrate to listen to the Minister of Religion's statement with conscience, because there is not the slightest intention of comparing the sound of the call to prayer with the barking of dogs.

"To my brothers who are going to demonstrate, I invite all of us to authentically and honestly listen to the whispers of our deepest conscience without any hatred, grudges, or interests regarding Gus Minister's statement," Kamaruddin said in a written message received in Jakarta, Friday, March 4.

He invited the masses to re-read in full the statement of Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas while understanding the context and substance of Circular Letter No. 05/2022 concerning Rules for Using Loudspeakers in Mosques and Mushala.

Kamaruddin believes that by understanding the context without being accompanied by resentment or anger, in the statement by Minister of Religion Yaqut there was no intention of comparing the sound of the call to prayer with the barking of a dog.

According to him, the background of the Minister of Religion as a santri who grew up in an Islamic boarding school under the guidance of his late father, who was a cleric, makes it impossible for the Minister of Religion to do as perceived.

"In the name of the benefit and brotherhood of the faith and the country, let us not amplify, capitalize, exploit, let alone accuse things that are not in accordance with the facts. He is struggling and working hard for the benefit of the people and the nation," he explained.

Kamaruddin also invites the public to communicate by prioritizing public civility, being kind, and respecting each other.

"Let's take care of our Islamic and national brotherhood to seek the pleasure of Allah SWT," said the Director General.

Previously, a number of community organizations held demonstrations today around the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) Office, Central Jakarta, regarding the statement by the Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, regarding the sound of the call to prayer and the sound of barking dogs.

Polda Metro Jaya together with the TNI and the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta deployed 2,756 joint personnel to secure the demonstration by PA 212 and several Islamic organizations at the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) Office.

"Polda Metro has anticipated today's demonstration by involving 2,756 joint security personnel," said Head of Public Relations of the Polda Metro Jaya, Pol Kombes Endra Zulpan, in Jakarta, Friday.