Ismira Lutfia & Anita Rachman – Sick of morally degrading television programs? You may be able to switch to an Islam-based television channel soon.

Embracing technology, the branches of the Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI) in Sumatra have proposed the establishment of such a TV station and the creation of an accompanying blog to the their central board.

The chairman of the MUI's West Sumatra branch, Buyagus Rizal Gazahar, said on Friday that all branches in Medan, North Sumatra, earlier this week agreed to establish an Islamic broadcaster to counter the dominance of private television stations with poor programming content.

"That we should have an Islamic channel came out of the 2005 national assembly but because of the poor response from the central board, we have proposed it again. We are hoping for a quick response," Buyagus said.

The Medan meeting also agreed to create an MUI blog to advance dakwah [the spreading of the word of Islam] according to developments in information technology.

Central board secretary Ichwan Sam said "ulemas must be are aware that they are no longer standing at a dakwah podium but are facing the modern world," Ichwan said. "They should spread the word that Islam is a religion that can adapt to developments around the globe," Ichwan said.

Buyagus said many mainstream television programs portrayed a way of life that was contrary to Islamic tenets. "Even soap operas claiming to have Islamic themes don't convey Islamic values as most of them include mysticism," he said, adding that television should be used to spread Islamic teachings.