Dewi Nurita, Jakarta – Deputy of Indonesia's top Muslim clerical body, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Zainut Tauhid Sa'adi said that the organization has never issued a fatwa overseeing Muslims offering Christmas wishes.

MUI felt that this had to be clarified amidst the polemic of Muslim's permissibility in wishing fellow Christians a merry Christmas. The organization says that it would not be a problem if wishing it is solely based on respect and spirit of brotherhood.

"The MUI returns this issue to the Muslim community, whether to follow the opinion of any ulema that fits their belief," said Zainut in a written release on Monday, December 23.

In response to ulemas disavowing Muslims from wishing fellow Indonesian Christians a merry Christmas, and deeming it haram, the MUI respects that view as it is based on the assumption that wishing is part of expressing one's religious belief.

"MUI calls for people to be wise and prudent in responding to differing opinions, and not make it a polemic that could potentially hinder the interreligious harmony," Zainut said. "We should do this to create a harmonious and peaceful society."

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1286869/mui-no-fatwa-overseeing-muslims-expressing-christmas-wishes