Page 443 - INDONESIA ISLAMIC CULTURE

having been made for purely religious doctrines. The only agency authorized their respective positions. Conservatives- However, 2005 seemed to tell another
reasons. Therefore, Islamic political parties to produce halal certificates is LP-POM fundamentalists are convinced to have story. The radical Islamic groups’ intensive
along with the other parties in the House MUI, based on Law no. 7/1996, in which secured their existence because the rhetoric and strong lobbying had forced
of Representatives generally supported paragraph 30 (2) (e) states that “any fatwas of the MUI tend to be in favor of the MUI to re-issue its fatwa in stronger
the MUI’s fatwa. The disputes between the person producing or importing food their line of struggle. While the MUI also language on this group of Islam that was
legislative council and Gus Dur at that time packages to Indonesia for commercial feels that public recognition proves its originally rooted in India. The 2005 fatwa
were worsening by the day. purposes must add amark to the product alignment with the Muslim community. combines the 1980 MUI fatwa and the
or on the package stating that the It strengthens its position by defining 1984 instruction and affirmed that 1) the
The Ajinomoto case had set the precedent product or package is lawful”. Hence, public opinion through the affirmation Ahmadiyah doctrine deviates from Islam,
for the MUI’s monopoly over what Tim food or goods must first pass a test by of fundamental-conservative groups 2), Ahmadiyah followers must return to
Lindsey called “Islamic economy regulation” the accredited inspection institution which who always claim themselves to be the true Islam based on the Qur’an and the
in the field of halal certification and it in this case is LP-POM MUI. A halal representatives of the Muslim-majority in Hadith, and 3) the government has to
obtained the same position as in the case certificate is valid for two years and can Indonesia. prohibit the adherence to Ahmadiyah
of Islamic banking. LP-POM is the only be extended. The inspection institution principles and to ban the Ahmadiyyah
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institution authorized to inspect and identify can conduct random tests on certified The climax came in the seventh MUI from Indonesia. Ultimately, the 2005 MUI
whether food is halal or not. The MUI’s halal products at any time and the outcome National Congress in 2005, when it fatwa justified radical Islamic groups such
fatwa is not a religious recommendation may influence the decision on the issued no less than 11 fatwas. Two as the FUI and FPI’s intimidating actions,
like fatwas on other issues where it has issuance or extension of the certificate. 75 of them caused a prolonged and physical violence, persecution, arson
a binding effect on the public. In the case fierce controversy, i.e. the fatwa that and the closing of Ahmadiyah offices and
of halal certification for industries, the Fatwa, Religious Violence, and proclaimed that the Ahmadiyah was places of worship.
same as in the banking sector, the MUI the Development of Islamic heretical and the fatwa on the prohibition
halal fatwa is a ruling instrument with the Thought of secularism, pluralism and liberalism. From 2005 to 2008 the violence radical
power to enforce much likestate rules. The 2005 MUI fatwa on the Ahmadiyah Islamic groups perpetrated against the
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Furthermore, this monopoly has turned into The ascendancy of conservative was actually not new. The MUI had Ahmadiyah congregation was intense.
the MUI’s primary means of fundraising groups within era of Reformation MUI issued a similar fatwa in 1980 followed by In 2008, one radical group even urged
after Gus Dur’s administration had can no longer be denied. MUI’s shift the instruction to the group of Ahmadis the government to issue a Joint Decree
toward conservatism has become more
discontinued its subsidy. in 1984. However, since the New Order (SKB) by the Minister of Religious Affairs,
apparent by the issuance of several regime used to treat the discussion the Attorney General and the Minister of
Halal certification is the process of halal fatwas that tended to affirm the struggle on the religiously sensitive issues as the Interior on the Ahmadiyah’s deviant
labeling for a product manufactured or of conservative groups. So, it is not something unwanted MUI’s fatwa and status and the cessation of all activities
sold in Indonesia, so the cleanliness surprising that the presumption emerged instruction gave no social effects. The to spread its doctrine in Indonesia (Joint
and the suitability of the product for that the MUI and conservatives groups Ahmadiyah adherents could still continue Decree of three ministers, 2008). In those
consumption is guaranteed with the had entered into a relationship beneficial to live and practice their faith as they had years, the Ahmadiyah congregation was
standard rulings contained in Islamic to both, and that it even strengthened done since 1925. 76 forced to return to the true teachings of

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