Regarding Megawati’s speech about recitation, the Vice-Chancellor of the MUI asks the public not to misinterpret
Jakarta – Deputy Chairperson of the Indonesian Ulema Council Kyai Marsudi Syuhud asked the public not to misinterpret in response to the speech by PDIP General Chair Megawati Soekarno Putri.
According to Kyai Marsudi Syuhud, when someone talks about a statement or recites it, the one who understands it is the person who said it.
“Well, if there are other people who respond to that statement, maybe there is something right, maybe there is something wrong. Because for people who respond, it is something that is roughly, in the form of their own interpretation. That interpretation can be right or wrong. Therefore there is a context called tabayun, because of course Megawati does not mean it like that. We must be humble and calm in order to maintain peace and unity, “he explained.
This was conveyed by the Waketum of the MUI, Kyai Marsudi Syuhud, while participating in a Dialogue with the theme of Maintaining Unity in the Year of Politics on TVRI, Friday (24/2/2023).
Elections and political years are always a challenging time for the Indonesian nation, as these situations have the potential to trigger conflict and divisions between groups in society. Therefore, maintaining the unity and integrity of the nation is very important to maintain peace in the midst of a heated political situation.
Kyai Marsudi Syuhud said that the political year has its own characteristics, so when taking a political position it will form various situations. Election rituals are also expected to become something ordinary so that people are asked to remain calm and respond in a normal way, especially if it threatens the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
The importance of unifying the elements of the nation, if the nation’s community has been united then it must work together and reduce noise. Therefore, the election is expected to run safely and comfortably without identity politics, said Kyai Marsudi Syuhud.
Kyai Marsudi Syuhud emphasized that the essence of politics is about how to unite, not to separate.
“For example, in a place of worship, there are different backgrounds, everyone can enter the mosque. Mosques or churches are expected to unite people of all backgrounds, not divide them. Don’t let going home from the mosque break the harmony together,” said Kyai Marsudi Syuhud.
The Waketum of the MUI said that currently when a few sentences appear, the community is easily triggered to divide which eventually creates hostility.
“This is not repeated. Especially if in the future there are statements that are not in fact so. Indonesian people must be vigilant and look at their backgrounds and we must understand that differences are part of the diversity of our nation. Therefore, we must be able to maintain inter-religious harmony and respect the differences that exist,” he added.
Kyai Marsudi Syuhud appealed to religious people, we must show tolerance and avoid actions that could damage the unity and integrity of the nation.
“As religious people, we must show tolerance and mutual respect. We must avoid all forms of action that can damage the unity and integrity of the nation, be it in the form of hate speech, acts of intolerance, or acts of violence,” said Kyai Marsudi Syuhud.
Meanwhile, Political Communication Expert at the University of Indonesia, Dr. Aditya Perdana said that in this digital era it is not easy because in any way his statement will be cut into pieces according to the interests of the group which will then go viral. This certainly has a purpose because it will spread.
“All parties will probably justify any means in winning the battle during the election. Therefore need to be reminded. Besides that, when there is hoax news, the public needs confidence to always be careful and strengthen digital literacy, including filtering before sharing. Because internet penetration is great and we have to be aware of that, especially regarding issues of ethnicity, religion and preferably, this needs to be limited,” concluded Aditya.
