Navigating heresy : the relationship dynamics between MUI and MORA in handling heretical groups

Abstract

This study focuses on the dynamics of the authority of Islamic religious institutions in Indonesia, particularly the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (MORA) and the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI), towards various groups considered heretical by the MUI. Therefore, this study highlights how the MUI, as a non-governmental religious authority (Ulama), has implications in influencing the formal and informal policies of the MORA regarding the designation and handling of groups considered heretical. There are several case selections of groups that regarded as heretics such as Ahmadiyah, al-Salamullah (Lia Eden), GAFATAR, and Ma'had al-Zaytun, which are the focus of this study. However, this study aims to identify several factors influencing the decisionmaking process of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MORA) due to the fatwa of the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI). Additionally, it examines the extent to which MUI's influence is significant in exercising its authority through legal decisionmaking processes against groups regarded as heretical. However, this study uses qualitative methods to analyze the MUI authority in influencing MORA. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and documentation collection. Through in-depth interviews, data were collected from informants with backgrounds as officials and former government officials from various leadership eras at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MORA) and the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI). This focuses on highlighting various approaches to handling groups considered heretical that emerged over the past few decades, aligning with their respective leadership eras.Furthermore, through case research on objections such as Ahmadiyah, al-Salamullah (Lia Eden), GAFATAR, and Ma'had al-Zaytun, this study found that fatwas or statements issued by the MUI regarding these groups often serve as the primary reference for the public. Consequently, a general concern that could potentially disrupt order or security leads the state, in this case the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MORA), to also address these considered heretical groups. Then, the MUI’s decisions serve as a basis for the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ (MORA) legitimacy in issuing policies to restrict the activities of these groups, as outlined in joint regulations (SKB) or informal statements by the Minister of Religious Affairs. Ultimately, this study contributes to the understanding of the relationship between ulama and the state, particularly within the context of Islamic bureaucracy and the management of religious diversity in Indonesia. Further, it is focusing on issues related to considered heretical groups and the discourse between majority and minority internal Islamic groups.