Indonesian VP Urges Ulemas to Safeguard National Unity Ahead of 2024 Elections

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesian Vice President Ma’ruf Amin has called upon Indonesian ulemas to play a crucial role in safeguarding the nation’s unity before and during the 2024 General Elections, urging them to prevent conflicts triggered by political differences.

During a meeting with ulemas of Pati at Maslakul Huda Islamic Boarding School in Pati District, Central Java, on Saturday, Vice President Amin stressed the importance of protecting the nation and guiding the people to avoid conflicts arising from political preferences.

“Ulemas should not only safeguard Muslims but also the Indonesian nation as a whole because unity is our capital,” remarked Vice President Amin.

Emphasizing the need for prudence in addressing political differences during the upcoming elections, Amin lauded the ulemas for successfully preserving harmony among themselves despite having diverse political views and preferences. He highlighted that unity among ulemas serves as a key factor in ensuring the success of democracy in Indonesia.

“I am very happy to learn that different views on the elections among ulemas here do not trigger conflicts among them. That is very important,” he stressed.

Vice President Amin also underscored the importance of ulemas adapting to changes by conducting ijtihad, a process of interpreting Islamic law to reach legal decisions. He acknowledged that new issues require ongoing ijtihad to navigate challenges effectively.

“We are facing brand new issues that we had not faced in the past. For that reason, we will always need ijtihad,” he said.

Inviting ulemas to actively participate in economic growth, Vice President Amin highlighted the importance of developing the Islamic economy. He noted that the government has established the National Committee on Islamic Finance and Economy (KNEKS) and similar regional committees to advance the progress of the Islamic economy in Indonesia.

The call for unity and prudence ahead of the 2024 General Elections reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful and harmonious democratic process.