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PKS: Majelis Taklim compulsory registration a step backward

Source
Tempo - December 5, 2019

Friski Riana, Jakarta – The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) leader Sohibul Iman said the Religious Affairs Ministry's policy overseeing Majelis Taklim (Islamic congregation) reminisces Indonesia's intrusive New Order regime.

"We think what the government has issued today is an exaggerated policy which reminds us of the New Order (Orde Baru/Orba) that is related to the same phenomenon," said Sohibul at the Muhammadiyah Dakwah Center on Wednesday.

He continued to call the policy as a government intervention, which is also not proportional, to the public's activities. On November 13, 2019, Religious Affairs Minister released the government's decree No.29/2019 on Majelis Taklim, which effectively calls for such groups to register themselves.

However, the Ministry's Islamic directorate general Juraidi said that the regulation is compulsory and not mandatory. "In Article 6 we used the term 'compulsory' and not 'mandatory.' Which tends to be administrative instead of mandatory call that has its sanctions for those who violate."

The Government argues the Majelis Taklim registration will ease the Religious Affairs Ministry to provide coaching in terms of activities conducted by the congregates and government assistance.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1280228/pks-majelis-taklim-compulsory-registration-a-step-backward

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