Indonesian Ulema Council (Indonesian: Majelis Ulama Indonesia or MUI) is Indonesia's top Muslim clerical body. It has issued a fatwa on how social media should be used. The council highlighted and outlined several critical points they deem forbidden to do in social media.
The fatwa was brought by MUI's Secretary Asrorun Ni'am Sholeh.
In a public discussion and press conference of 'MUI Fatwa Law and Guidance In Socializing Through Social Media' at the Ministry of Communications and Information building. The event was also attended by MUI Chairman Ma'aruf Amin and Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara.
"Every Muslim who socialize through social media is prohibited to perform defamation, slander and libel, gossip spreading and hostility," said Asrorun during the event.
Asrorun said that bullying, hate speech and spreading resentment based on ethnicity, religion, race and group are also forbidden, particularly regarding the spread of fake news.
"In addition the distribution of pornographic and immorality material, also all things that are prohibited in sharia law, distributing true information but in inappropriate place and time is also forbidden," continued Asrorun. "Producing or disseminating information that aims to justify the wrong or to deny the truth is also forbidden. Spreading inappropriate personal content is also considered as haram."
Social media has turned into a platform for hate speech around the world. Indonesia in taking its part to fight hate speech, MUI issued a 20-page guide to Muslims in the country in how they should use social media.
"While communicating in social media, Muslims must consider the action as part of efforts to promote iman (faith) and ketaqwaan (piety) instead of kufur (infidelity) and maksiat (sin)," said MUI.
And responding to MUI's move, Rudiantara said that the fatwa could encourage the ministry to step up its monitoring of incendiary rhetoric on social media. The ministry would work with the police to bring criminal charges against netizens who spread hatred on social media.
According to Rudiantara:
"The fatwa is expected to be able to prevent negative contents. We will ask for MUI guidance on what practices considered as haram in the field."
