JAKARTA — The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has absolutely no problem with the appearance of Ganjar Pranowo in one of the calls to prayer on television (TV). In fact, for them, this is very good.
Deputy General Chairperson (Waketum) MUI), Anwar Abbas, believes that the call to prayer showing the figure of a white-haired leader is normal and believes that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the broadcast.
“Because I am not a politician, for me personally the event of broadcasting the call to prayer with Ganjar Pranowo’s video appearing is not problematic, in fact I think this is very good,” he said.
The reason is, according to the Deputy Chief of the MUI, what is shown in the call to prayer video is part of a positive action.
This is because it will also have an impact and value on the religious life of Muslims.
“So what Ganjar did, in my opinion, is fine, especially since the value and impact on the religious life of Muslims will certainly be very large,” he said.
Likewise, academic and political observer from the Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN), Adi Prayitno, also emphasized that the appearance of Ganjar Pranowo in the call to prayer broadcast was not at all a practice of identity politics.
According to him, the appearance of the leader born in Karanganyar Regency is the same as the appearance of political figures in advertisements during other religious holidays which also frequently occur.
Moreover, the broadcast only shows Ganjar Pranowo performing prayers and inviting goodness.
“Definitely not identity politics. Identity politics is not a simple definition. It’s just a show of people praying. Inviting kindness,” stressed Adi.
The Political Observer then added that when a politician is seen performing religious rituals, it is nothing more than an expression of religiosity.
“Participating in prayers, taking part in recitations, and so on, that is not identity politics. “But it’s part of the religiosity side,” said Adi.
He actually feels concerned about the many misconceptions from the public who think that anything related to religious symbols is directly linked to identity politics, even though it is only religiosity.
“It’s as if everything related to religious symbols is identity politics. “Even though it’s just religiosity,” said Adi.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the PDI Perjuangan, Hasto Kristiyanto, explained that the call to prayer broadcast also showed the spiritual side that was stated in Pancasila in the first principle.
Moreover, so far the presidential candidate they are nominating has absolutely no track record of practicing identity politics.
“Pak Ganjar displays spirituality as a country that implements Pancasila as well as possible so that there is no trace of identity politics whatsoever from Pak Ganjar or PDIP. “We are the Nationalist Soekarnoist party,” he added.
