Nurfika Osman – The country's highest authority on Islamic affairs, the Indonesian Council of Ulema, on Tuesday denied that one of its provincial branches had issued an edict banning women from running in mayoral elections.

"We have never issued a fatwa on that and we will not issue fatwas banning females from political positions because it remains a source of debate among MUI officials," said secretary general Ichwan Sam, referring to the organization by its acronym.

Ichwan denied that such a fatwa had been issued by MUI's chapter in Riau, adding that there was no official named Muhammadun at the provincial council.

But the Riau Post newspaper in January identified Muhammadun as a member of the commission for brotherhood and foreign relations at MUI's local branch. Ichwan said Muhammadun "is a rogue official and he is not affiliated with MUI, Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah or any other mainstream Muslim organization."

Muhammadun on Monday claimed the Riau chapter issued the fatwa, and was quoted by state news agency Antara as saying that female mayors were not in line with Islamic teachings.

"MUI has so far only issued a fatwa that a Muslim woman is not allowed to be an imam of a congregation," Ichwan said. "It is not that easy to issue a fatwa and a fatwa like this is impossible to be issued," he continued.

Mayoral candidate Septina Primawati, who has the backing of the Golkar Party, the National Mandate Party (PAN), the United Development Party (PPP), the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), was quoted in local media as saying she was disappointed with the fatwa. The election for the mayor of Pekanbaru, the capital of Riau, will be held in May.

The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) condemned the fatwa, saying it violated the laws of the land. Masruchah, deputy chairwoman of the commission, said the Constitution stated that "every citizen, both male and female, has the rights to participate in politics."