FKUB South Sulawesi Report: Pastor Gilbert Lumoindong Suspected of Insulting Islam

Friday, 19 April 2024 – 05:00 WIB

Makassar – Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB) South Sulawesi (Sulsel) report about the video Reverend Gilbert Lumoindong is suspected insulting Islam by mocking prayer.

This position statement was written in letter number 11/FKUB-SS/IV/2024 which was signed by the General Chairman of FKUB Sulsel, Prof. Wahyuddin Naro on Monday, 15 April 2024.

“We call on all religious communities, especially the people of South Sulawesi and the Indonesian nation in general, to continue to maintain religious tolerance and harmony in order to create a harmonious society and environment,” said Wahyudin, who was quoted from the website. ABOUT South Sulawesi, Friday 19 April 2024.

Wahyuddin asked all religious people and all religious followers to respect each other’s beliefs. Do not make jokes that may offend followers of certain religions.

He also hoped that all religious people would be cool in delivering da’wah to maintain religious harmony and a constructive situation.

Regarding the uproar caused by Pastor Gilbert’s statement, FKUB asked the police to investigate this matter thoroughly.

“For the authorities to investigate the viral video, which is highly suspected to have been played by Gilbert Lumoindong“, including the investigation of the perpetrator who edited the video, which may differ from the wishes of Reverend Gilbert Lumoindong,” he said.

Finally, in order to create a solemn celebration of Easter, FKUB asked several churches in Makassar that planned to bring in Pastor Gilbert to postpone it until this problem could be resolved.

Before that, the figure of Pastor Gilbert Lumoindong was in the spotlight after a video of his speech went viral on social media. The uproar arose because Gilbert said he had offended Muslims’ beliefs about prayer and zakat.

This statement, which was wrapped in a joke, was made by Gilbert during a sermon in front of his congregation in the church. First, Gilbert addressed the issue of zakat, which Muslims only give 2.5 percent.

Then Gilbert talked about the issue of ablution that Muslims perform before they pray. He said it was very difficult to pray compared to worship in his religion.

Not only that, Gilbert also said that prayer movements are very tiring, compared to worship that does not require much energy because you just stand, sing and clap your hands.

Regarding this issue, Gilbert has apologized to several parties, including the General Chairman of the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI) Jusuf Kalla and he visited the office of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and Gilbert’s apology was accepted.