Indonesia’s MUI Urges Government to Tackle Forest Fires

sajadi Editor : Widi - 19 hours yang lalu

19 hours yang lalu

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Jakarta, MINA – The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has urged the government to step up efforts to extinguish forest and land fires in several regions, warning that the resulting haze has also affected neighboring countries.

MUI Deputy Chairman Muhammad Cholil Nafis specifically called on President Prabowo Subianto to give the emergency greater attention and ensure a coordinated response involving government agencies, security forces and volunteers.

“Because forest fires are now at an emergency level, we convey advice to the honorable Mr. President to give greater attention until this forest fire problem can truly be resolved,” Cholil said in an official statement on Monday.

MUI emphasized that tackling the fires requires cooperation among all parties, including the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police (Polri) and volunteers.

The council also reaffirmed its Fatwa No. 30 of 2016 on the Law of Forest and Land Burning and Its Control. According to Cholil, the fatwa declares forest and land burning haram, or forbidden under Islamic law, because it endangers human life and causes environmental damage.

Cholil expressed concern about fires in several parts of Indonesia, saying they had disrupted daily activities and threatened public safety.

“Moreover, these forest fires have caused similar impacts in several neighboring countries, especially Malaysia and Singapore,” he said.

MUI called on Muslims to engage in sincere repentance for neglecting environmental responsibilities and contributing to practices that damage nature. The council also urged law enforcement authorities to act firmly, fairly and without discrimination against individuals and corporations responsible for deliberately burning forests and land.

“MUI asks law enforcement officials to act firmly, fairly, and without discrimination against individuals and corporations that deliberately burn forests and land for business interests,” the council said.

It stressed that actions causing harm, or mafsadah, and threatening human survival contradict the fundamental principles of Islamic law.

Forest and land fires recur in Indonesia, particularly during the dry season. Land-clearing practices involving fire can contribute to outbreaks, while dry weather and climate conditions can increase the risk of fires spreading. The resulting haze can affect public health, disrupt transportation and release substantial amounts of carbon emissions.

MUI’s 2016 fatwa provides an Islamic legal basis for opposing forest and land burning because of its harmful consequences for people and the environment. Its latest appeal combines calls for immediate firefighting efforts with demands for accountability and stronger environmental protection.

The council’s statement underscores the need to address both active fires and the practices that cause them, including deliberate burning for commercial purposes. It called for decisive and impartial enforcement against those responsible.[]

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)