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rival. Soeharto himself actually did not On 26 July, the conference that was relations and cooperation between Obat-obatan dan Kosmetika, LP-POM)
dismiss the potential of the ulamas attended by religious scholars, Muslim organizations, Islamic institutions, and that produces halal certificates, the
and the great power they had in the intellectuals, and representatives of Muslim. 45 Center for the Environment and Natural
community. Therefore, he called on some the Islamic spirituality sections under The MUI is an Ulama (scholars on Resources (PLH-SDA), and others.
Muslim elites to back him and to support the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) Islamic doctrine) organization and its
his policies. reached an agreement, established members originate from social Islamic In general, the MUI’s most fundamental
the Indonesian Ulama Council (Majelis function is to act as mufti (fatwa maker).
Soeharto took the initiative to form an organizations such as the Nahdlatul Fatwas may be issued by the MUI’s fatwa
institution where religious scholars Ulama Indonesia, MUI) and appointed Ulama, Muhammadiyah, Al-Irsyad, al- commission but also by the DSN while
could meet. It was proposed for the Prof. Dr. Hamka or better known as Buya Washliyah, Persatuan Islam (Persis), other fatwas can be the results of Muslim
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first time during a national conference Hamka as its first chairman. Pergerakan Tarbiyah Islamiyah (PERTI), scholar’s consensus and MUI national
in 1970 of the Indonesian Islamic As stated in its official website, the and many others. Figures who have deliberations. Besides fatwas, the MUI
Propagation Center (Pusat Dakwah Indonesian Ulama Council is a social served as MUI chairmen include Prof. Dr. also issues other kinds of legal decisions
Islam Indonesia, PDII) an organization organization that serves as a vehicle Hamka, K.H. Shukri Ghozali, K.H. Hasan such as recommendations (tausiyyah),
founded by the Ministry of Religious for Muslim scholars (‘ulama), Muslim Basri, Prof. K.H. Ali Yafie, K.H. M. Sahal warnings (tadhkirah), instructions
Affairs. The proposal not only garner leaders (zu‘ama’), and Indonesian Muslim Mahfudh, and Prof. Dr. Din Syamsuddin. or mandates (amanah), statements,
positive responses, but also led to intellectuals to unite their efforts to realize As it states on its website, the MUI has appeals, and offers new ideas.
Indonesian Muslims to wonder if the their shared goals. The MUI’s Basic 12 commissions: 1) fatwa, 2) Islamic
regime’s intent was nothing just another Guidelines state that its fundamental brotherhood, 3) Islamic propagation and The MUI in the New Order era
strategy to destroy Islamic political objective is to participate in the realization community development, 4) education
power in Indonesia once and for all. of a just, prosperous, safe, and peaceful and regeneration, 5) Muslim economic The MUI is a product of the New Order
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However, the regime was adamant. The society (article 2). On its website the MUI empowerment, 6) information and government. In his opening speech at the
government reaffirmed its idea during the also states that its role is to offer advice communication, 7) women, youth, MUI first National Conference, President
next PDII conference in 1974 and a year and guidance and to issue fatwas for and families, 8) law and legislation, 9) Soeharto declared that the MUI had the
later, Soeharto proclaimed to support the government and the community on research and study, 10) inter-religious roles to act as: 1) translator of concepts
the establishment of the council before religious and social issues to increase harmony, 11) Islamic art and culture, and and activities of community development
the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI). activities for the realization of an Islamic 12) foreign relations and international at the national and local levels; 2)
To realize the President’s proposal, brotherhood and harmony between cooperation. The MUI also has councils advisory body for the government related
in the same year the Interior Minister religious communities. Its duties also and institutions such as the National to religious issues; 3) mediator bridging
ordered all of the heads of the provinces include to bolster national unity, to form Shari‘a Council (Dewan Syariah the government and religious scholars;
and residence/cityregions to establish a a bridge between scholars and the Nasional, DSN) that concentrates on and 4) consultation forum for ‘ulama to
clergymen council. From 21 to 27 July government, to mediate between the Islamic-labeled economic activities, discuss their duties and responsibilities
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1975, the Ministry of Religious Affairs people and the government to foster Research Institute for Food, Drugs and as religious scholars. The regime’s
held a national ‘ulama conference. national development, and to improve Cosmetics (Lembaga Pengkajian Pangan support was not limited to facilitating its

422 Indonesian Islamic Culture in Historical Perspectives Indonesian Islamic Culture in Historical Perspectives 423