REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI) stated that the cleric has a strategic role in building social cohesion. In contrary, MUI noticed the cohesion among Indonesian society has been disrupted by the issues of religious, politics, social, economy and others. "There has been a gap and even conflict among the people," KH Cholil Nafis said in a statement received by Republika.co.id on Friday.

Responding to the situation, MUI's Preaching and Community Building Commission together with the Ministry of Social Affairs held an activity to strengthening the role of preachers for social cohesion for the unity of homeland. The event was held at Sampang District Hall, Madura, East Java on Friday. "This event was to follow up of the previous MoU that had been signed by the two parties on May 31, 2016 at Siti Hotel, Tangerang," Kiai Cholil explained.

Cholil hoped the clerics would convey a peaceful message to the people. Therefore, it would calm the people down. The event was attended by the Chairman of MUI KH Ma'ruf Amin, Chairman of Preaching Commission of MUI KH Cholil Nafis, Special Staff of the Ministry of Social Affairs Professor Mas'uf Said and Deputy Regent of Sampang Fadhilah Budiono.

On the same occassion, Kiai Ma'ruf reiterated the importance of clerics' role in the society. He hoped the clerics could play the role as protector of the people (himayatul ummat) to keep the unity and strenghten the brotherhood among Muslims, ukhuwah wathoniyah (brotherly nations) and ukhuwah insaniyyah (humane brother). 

In his welcoming speech, Kiai Ma'ruf said the clerics should widen their religious and nationality perspectives. "The clerics who have follow the workshop will earn a certificate and that is what we called a certified clerics," he asserted.

Kiai Ma'ruf said MUI would not conduct certification of the clerics. But, MUI urged the clerics to have a certificate.     

Meanwhile, Special Staff of the Ministry of Social Affairs Professor Mas'uf Said remarked that the missionary endeavor should be able to be implemented in reality. The missionary endeavor should solve social issues. "For instance, in strenghtening Muslims economy with giving business support, tackling drugs issue, and others," he said. 

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