The Maneuver to Cleanse the MUI
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) is holding the 10th National Conference (Munas) today (11/25) until next Friday (11/27). The main agenda of the event, apart from releasing fatwas on current issues, is to appoint a new chairman and board for the 2020-2025 period. Currently, Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin is still the general chairman of the MUI, even though he is currently inactive.
According to the Head of the National Conference Steering Committee, Abdullah Jaidi, several names have been listed as candidates for MUI chairman. They come from various Islamic social organizations. From Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) - the largest Muslim organization in Indonesia - came Miftachul Akhyar. The leader of the Miftachus Sunnah Islamic Boarding School in Surabaya is currently replacing Ma'ruf Amin's position as Rais Aam Syuriyah (Chairman of the Advisory Board) NU after Ma'ruf ran as a vice-presidential candidate in 2018.
Another name that is also circulating is Nasaruddin Umar, who is currently the Deputy Chairman of the MUI Advisory Council as well as the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta. He has served as Deputy Minister of Religion and also Director General of Islamic Community Guidance. Meanwhile, from Muhammadiyah - also a major Islamic organization - the names are Muhyiddin Junaidi (Deputy Chairperson of MUI) and Anwar Abbas (Secretary-General).