REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- KH Ma'ruf Amin, vice presidential candidate of the incumbent President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), was bound for a hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday (Aug 15). He planned to meet with Grand Imam of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Habib Rizieq Shihab during his stay in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
"Insya Allah (God willing)," he told the reporters after meeting Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Chairman KH Said Aqil Siradj and National Awakening Party (PKB) -- an Islam-based political party that has deep roots in Nahdlatul Ulama -- General Chairman Muhaimin Iskandar "Cak Imin" at PBNU office, Jakarta, on Tuesday.
However, National Movement to Safeguard the Ulemas Fatwa (GNPF Ulama) said the meeting of the two Islamic figures has not been listed on Habib Rizieq's schedule. So far, Habib Rizieq has not received any notice from Kiai Ma'ruf.
"I have talked (to Habib Rizieq), but as far as I know, Kiai Ma'ruf has not contacted Habib Rizieq," GNPF Ulama Chairman ustaz Yusuf Martak said when contacted by Republika.co.id on Tuesday.
Yusuf appreciated the meeting if it really happened. Moreover, Indonesia is getting closer to 2019 presidential election, so the meeting will be good for the nation.
“I think the plan is very good," he said.
Habib Rizieq is chairman of the GNPF Ulama Board of Trustees and he supported Ijtima' Ulama (meeting of the ulemas) event which recommended the people to support Gerindra Party chief patron Prabowo Subianto as presidential candidate and ustaz Abdul Somad and PKS Religious Council (Majelis Syuro) Chairman Salim Segaf Al-Jufri as vice presidential candidates.
However, ustaz Somad refused to contest in election. He wanted to focus on da'wah. Meanwhile, the coalition parties members did not agree on Salim's nomination.
GNPF Ulama then came up with two alternative figures, namely Abdullah Gymnastiar "Aa Gym" and ustaz Arifin Ilham. The movement wanted Prabowo to be accompanied by an ulema. Nevertheless, on Thursday (Aug 8), Prabowo picked none of the recommended names.
Prabowo decided to pair himself with his own cadre and Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno. GNPF Ulama disappointed with the decision and planned to stage the 2nd Ijtima' Ulama to determine its stance on presidential election.
According to ustaz Yusuf, GNPF Ulama would consider some possibilities. They might decided to abstain in the 2019 presidential election.
"It means that the people are welcome to vote according to their own desires, not to be commanded by the ulama, " ustaz Yusuf said.
Meanwhile, Cak Imin saw an opportunity for the government camp to coalesce with Habib Rizieq camp. He hoped Kiai Ma'ruf who is NU supreme leader and Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI) Chairman could meet with Habib Rizieq to discuss the chance.
“We pray, insya Allah they will meet but we still don’t know,” said Cak Imin.
Kiai Ma'ruf was an incriminating expert witness in blasphemy case involving former Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama "Ahok". However, he accepted the offer to be Jokowi's running mate to fulfilled the concept of nationalist-religious.
On the other hand, GNPF Ulama has vowed to not support political parties affiliated to the convicted blasphemer, namely Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Golkar, NasDem, and Hanura Party. Jokowi was supported by nine political parties, namely PDIP, Nasdem Party, Golkar Party, PPP, PKB Perindo, PSI, Hanura Party, and PKPI.
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