INDONESIA ULEMA OPPOSES PROPOSAL OF MOVING THE PROPHET PBUH'S GRAVE

The tomb of the Prophet Muhammad in Medina (photo: Republika) — The tomb of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH in Medina (photo: Republika)

Jakarta, 9 Dzulqo’dah 1435/4 September 2014 (MINA) – Indonesia ulema opposes proposal to remove the grave of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH in Nabawi Mosque complex.
Secretary General of Ulema and International Conference on Islamic Scholars (ICIS), Hasyim Muzadi asks government along with ulemas in Indonesia to oppose the proposal.

According to Hasyim Muzadi, all Muslims in the world should oppose the proposal. Moving the prophet PBUH’s tomb would make Muslims restless, DetikNews quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Meanwhile Chairman of the Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU, Pengurus Besar Nahdlatul Ulama) KH Said Aqil Siroj also criticized the proposal in a release to media in Jakarta..

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The proposal appeared following leak of Dr. Ali bin Abdulaziz al-Shabal’s document with 60 pages among supervisors in Nabawi mosque.
The journal of kingdom and The Independent daily has published the document recently. Then other media published it.
News about the proposal become widespread in the social media.

Meanwhile, a number of sources in Saudi news website, Al Arabiya, stated that the proposal is a result of research from a researcher, not a decision from the Saudi government.

Scientific journal published by Ri’asah Al Ammah li As Syu’un Masjid Al Haram wa Al Masjid An Nabawi (Public Leadership for Al Haram and An Nabawi Mosque Affairs) published result of the research.

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According to the sources, decision for expansion of An Nabawi mosque has rolled out since two years ago. The decision made by Hai’ah Kibar Ulama is about the extension on the north side that concentrates on the construction of the upper floors such as Al Haram mosque.

Two British media, the Independent and the Daily Mail that raised issue of the proposal.
Other Saudi academics criticize the destruction of holy sites and artifacts by the Saudi government in the proposal containing 61 pages.
Some Muslims argue that the Prophet Muhammad PBUH banned the construction of the tomb. It is to prevent against polytheism and idolatry practices.

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On the other hand, some Muslims argue that the cemetery was originally not part of structure of the mosque. They also argue that the Prophet PBUH had ordered his followers to bury him in a place where he died.

According to The Independent, Bay Institute based in Washington state that up to 95 percent of the old building in Mecca, has been destroyed. Then luxury hotels, apartments and shopping malls replaced the place. However, some people consider the moving of the grave is necessary to increase number of Muslims that are performing the pilgrimage.

(T/R11/P009/R03/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)