VP Amin urges Southeast Asian da'is to safeguard Muslim dignity

Indonesia's Vice President Ma'ruf Amin on Friday called upon Southeast Asian da'is, or Islamic preachers, to continue spreading Islamic teachings to prevent Muslims from becoming a weak and marginalized community."We cannot afford to let Muslims become a weak, marginalized group. We should not leave our fellow Muslims in a weak state. Keep this in mind when engaging in Dawah (preaching)," he told the participants of the International Conference for Southeast Asian Da'is here.

To strengthen Muslim dignity, he said, da'is should work to guide believers away from any thoughts and conducts that are at odds with Islamic teachings and God's orders.

"It is important to find ways to save Muslims that are still consuming non-halal foods and beverages and making economic transactions that violate Islamic law," he added.

Amin also appealed to Southeast Asian da'is to convey messages about the importance of Muslims maintaining a sense of unity among themselves.

"Keeping Muslims together as a unit is not less important, as we can be divided by external influences," he stressed.

The Vice President then highlighted Indonesia's practice of encouraging its huge Muslim population to gain religious comprehension and knowledge of a level comparable to santris, or students of Islamic boarding schools.

"We are aiming to 'santrinize' our Muslims," he underlined.

In his speech, Amin also lauded the holding of the international conference and the establishment of a forum of Southeast Asian da'is, which he expects to spread moderate teachings of Islam in the region.

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Earlier, chairperson of the conference's organizing committee, Cholil Nafis, read out the Declaration on the Establishment of the International Forum of Southeast Asian Da'is.

The declaration was signed by representatives from the ulema councils of Malaysia, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Thailand, Laos, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines.