Juli Hantoro, Jakarta – Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy responded to the polemic over the Al Zaytun Islamic boarding school in Indramayu, West Java.

According to him, Al Zaytun is like a commune which is not common as most Islamic boarding schools.

"Commune is a social system that is similar to the state. There is a structure, hierarchy, and regulations. The regulations have been set in such a way that emphasizes obedience to the leaders," he said after performing the Eid al-Adha prayer at the Muhammadiyah Building, Wednesday, June 28, 2023.

The existence of communes in Indonesia, he added, is not prohibited as long as their activities do not conflict with applicable law. He also mentioned that there are communes in the United States and Japan that commit crimes and life-threatening acts.

"Hopefully the commune in Al Zaytun is not as extreme as that," Muhadjir said.

Muhadjir said the government is currently addressing issues related to Al Zaytun from two sides; the legal side under the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs and the National Police and the educational side under the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture and the Religious Affairs Ministry.

Muhadjir previously said that the government would ensure that the learning activities of students will run well if there is legal action against the school. "Thousands of students will be our responsibility," he said.

Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School has again drawn the public spotlight after the leader Panji Gumilang allegedly committed blasphemy during his speeches.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1742378/minister-muhadjir-effendy-likens-al-zaytun-to-commun