Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
A total of eight people on behalf of the Islamic Company Ideological Defense (Shield) called demonstration in front of the Office of the Ministry of Religion, Central Jakarta, Thursday (28/10).
The action was held in response to the statement of the Minister of Religion Ruby Cholil Qoumas who said the Ministry of Religion was a gift to Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).
Monitoring CNN Indonesia.with, all the compact action crowd wore white hazmat suits with a Guy Fawkes mask that was popularized through the film V for Vendetta.
The demonstrators also brought demonstration props in the form of posters with Yaqut’s face with the words ‘Remove Menag’ and ‘Disband the Ministry of Religion’. They also carried the flag of the Shield organization’s logo.
The coordinator of the action, Ali assessed that Yaqut had drawn controversy with his remarks. He was worried that these words would trigger a division among Muslims and the life of the nation and state.
“It is not proper for a state official to become a source of division in his own country. Therefore, we strongly condemn the statement of Yaqut Cholil Quomas that triggered division,” said Ali.
Ali assessed that the Ministry of Religion is a state institution formed by the government as a unifier of the nation. Not the other way around.
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Photo: CNN Indonesia/ Ramadhan Rizki A mass protesting in the name of the Sarikat Islam (Shield) Ideological Defense held a demonstration against the statement of the Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in front of the Ministry of Religion Office, Jakarta Thursday (28/10)- – |
Therefore, Ali asked President Joko Widodo not to remain silent in responding to this polemic. Shield, he said, demanded that Jokowi remove Yaqut from his position as Minister of Religion.
“Yaqut failed as a minister,” he said.
Observations on the ground showed that the action was conducive and only lasted about 20 minutes. Police officers have also been alerted at the Ministry of Religion to secure the action.
Yaqut has recently clarified his remarks which became the polemic. He stated that his statement in the internal forum of the NU extended family was to motivate students and pesantren.
Yaqut also emphasized that the Ministry of Religion belongs to all religions and not just one mass organization.
Deputy Minister of Religion (Wamenag), Zainut Tauhid Sa’adi has also asked for the polemic of Yaqut’s statement to end. According to him, Yaqut’s clarification of the statement should have been understood.
“I think the explanation can be understood. The explanation has been delivered, and the pros and cons should be ended,” said Zainut in a statement received by CNNIndonesia.com, Tuesday (26/10).
(rzr / bmw)
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