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Indonesian Ulema Council issued a fatwa regarding the use of social media. The council outlines several points they deemed forbidden to do in social media.
The fatwa was introduced by MUI Secretary Asrorun Ni'am Sholeh in a public discussion and press conference of 'MUI Fatwa Law and Guidance In Socializing Through Social Media' on Monday at the Ministry of Communications and Information building. The event was also attended by MUI Chairman Ma'aruf Amin and Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara.
"Every Muslim who socialize through social media is prohibited to perform defamation, slander and libel, gossip spreading and hostility," said Asrorun during the event.
Asrorun continued that bullying, hate speech and spreading resentment based on ethnicity, religion, race and group are also forbidden, particularly regarding the spread of fake news.
In addition the distribution of pornographic and immorality material, also all things that are prohibited in sharia law, distributing true information but in inappropriate place and time is also forbidden, said Asrorun.
Asrorun also implied the prohibition to produce, distribute or make false information accessible to public. This also applies on fake news distribution and an attempt to find information about someone's disgrace and depravity.
"Producing or disseminating information that aims to justify the wrong or to deny the truth is also forbidden. Spreading inappropriate personal content is also considered as haram, he added.
"The last, being a buzzer on social media that spreads news containing false information, malicious information and other similar things, to gain both economic and non-economic profits, is haram. So does the people who give instruction or support the activity as well as people who facilitate the practice, they are also haram, he said.
Furthermore, Ma'aruf said the fatwa is based on peoples fear of the spread of hatred and hostility through social media. He expects the fatwa to be able to prevent the spread of fake news that might divide the society.
Rudiantara on the other side, asserted that the ministry will coordinate and communicate with the MUI regarding the fatwa implementation.
"The fatwa is expected to be able to prevent negative contents. We will ask for MUI guidance on what practices considered as haram in the field," said Rudiantara.
(brl/red)
