Fikri Arigi, Jakarta – The head of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) for communication and information division, Masduki Baidowi, appealed to all parties to not politicize the houses of prayer, such as mosques. Masduki made the statement in response to the movement of mass dawn prayers in the election day.

"We do not prohibit prayers. Committing prayer in a mosque is a good act. But do not use mosque to motivate any movement for the interest of practical politics," Masduki told reporters in a sideline event of a declaration against mosque politicization held by the Mosque Managers Forum at Molvcca Hotel, Central Jakarta, Thursday, March 14.

The mass dawn prayers movement in the election day on April 17 was first initiated by the Prabowo-Sandiaga campaign team of national ulema command (Koppasandi). Besides the prayer, the team called for all to wear white clothes to the voting station (TPS). Tempo obtained the circular letter with the letterhead of Koppasandi logo on Wednesday, March 13.

Masduki further said that his side would not respond to the appeal directly to Koppasandi. According to him, such general calls had been carried out before, including this declaration. "Hopefully, [this event] will be effective," he said.

Masduki reiterated that mosque has a long-term function, such as strengthening the relationship with others and the information center of the Muslim community. Meanwhile, practical politics could curb the goal.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1185193/mui-do-not-politicize-mosque