(malangkota.go.id) – Some time ago, the East Java Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) appealed to public officials not to use interfaith greetings when giving a speech or opening an official event.
The appeal letter is stated in a letter numbered 110/MUI/JTM/2019 signed by the Chairman of the East Java MUI, KH Abdusshomad Buchori. One of the points in the letter is to call on officials to use greetings according to the teachings of their respective religions.
If an official is Muslim, he is advised to use the phrase 'Assalaamu'alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, and other religions should adapt to the official greetings commonly used in the religion concerned.
Regarding this, the Mayor of Malang, Drs. H. Sutiaji, Monday (11/11/2019) said that what was made by the East Java MUI was only an appeal and not a requirement. "So it can be implemented and if not, there will be no special sanctions," he said.
Therefore, the bespectacled man explained, it all depends on each individual public official how to respond to it. "The point is that the greeting, besides also containing prayers, is also to respect other religions during an event, so don't interpret it in a negative way," Sutiaji added.
The appeal of the East Java MUI, he said, was almost the same as that conveyed by the late former President of Indonesia, KH Abdurachman Wahid or Gus Dur. Assalamualaikum is like Shobahul Khoir or good morning that exists until now. "Jai, the essence is not only worship, but everything depends on each individual," concluded Sutiaji. (say/yon)
