Public Discussion: “Is MUI Fatwa Still Necessary?”
Friday, February 10, 2017 – Center for Islam and Islamic Law Studies (Lembaga Kajian Islam dan Hukum Islam—LKIHI) Faculty of Law, University of Indonesia (FHUI) organized a public discussion with the title “Is MUI Fatwa Still Necessary?” on Thursday (9/2) at Djokosoetono Auditorium, FHUI Campus, UI, Depok.
The Public Discussion presented four speakers, namely Prof. Hj. Huzaemah Y. Tanggo (Chairman of the MUI Fatwa Commission), Dr. H. A. Mukti Arto (Supreme Court Judge), H. Arsul Sani, SH, M.Sc. (Member of Commission III of the House of Representatives), and Dr. Yeni Salma Barlinti (FHUI Islamic Law Expert).
Recently, several Fatwas by Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) have sparked controversy among the public. According to Prof. Hj. Huzaemah Y. Tanggo, since MUI inception in the era of President Suharto up until President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, it is only now that there is a statement that the MUI fatwas pose a threat to diversity and therefore certification of ulema is urgently needed. This, she said, is due to the intervention of other parties who have no competence. In fact, any fatwa issued by MUI is based on public complaints, and through a long process of deliberation.
Meanwhile, Arsul Sani said that the MUI Fatwa is not positive law, but it is very influential in the life of Indonesian society, even beyond positive law. According to Arsul, many MUI Fatwas have become a source of law and inspiration for the House of Representatives to discuss the legislation.
In this public discussion, all speakers agreed, MUI Fatwa is still relevant in Indonesia.
