UMMAT DAILY ■ East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa congratulated KH Miftachul Akhyar as the general chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) for the 2020–2025 period.
KH Miftachul Akhyar was elected as general chairman of MUI at the MUI X National Conference (Munas) on November 25-27.
Governor Khofifah said that the election of KH Miftachul Akhyar to carry out this mandate was a matter of pride for the people of East Java.
"Alhamdulillah, KH Miftachul Akhyar has the mandate as general chairman of the MUI. East Java is certainly grateful this time the MUI chairman is an East Java cleric who is also PBNU's Rais Aam Syuriah, "said Governor Khofifah.
According to him, KH Miftachul Akhyar is a famous scholar from East Java. The elderly kiai is the caretaker of the Miftachus Sunnah Islamic Boarding School in Surabaya.
According to Khofifah, there are great hopes for the people of East Java and Indonesia in general in the figure of the General Chairman of MUI, KH Miftachul Akhyar.
"I would like to recite his speech shortly after being elected chairman of the MUI. He advised that the ulama's duty was to preach by inviting, not mocking. Embrace, not beat. Loving not competing. Educating is not aiming. Upbuilding not insulting. Looking for solutions is not looking for sympathy. Defend not criticize. This is an extraordinary reference for preachers, "said Khofifah.
In the spirit of maintaining this polite preaching procedure, Governor Khofifah believes that the delivery of the message of Islam is the religion of rahmatan lil al-amin that can spread.
"What he also conveyed in his speech was that the preaching of the ulama must prioritize compassion. This will be something deep and cool that we hope, together with the scholars in Indonesia, will strengthen our unity and brotherhood as citizens of the nation and state, "said Governor Khofifah. (**)