Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid praised da'is (Islamic preachers), emphasizing their vital role in supporting the Indonesian government's efforts to combat online gambling.

"Da'is play an important role in protecting the public by raising awareness about the dangers of online gambling from religious, moral, and social perspectives," she stated in her office's statement on Sunday.

Speaking at an event for da'is organized by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) in North Jakarta on Saturday (November 30), Hafid urged the council's Islamic preachers to actively participate in combating online gambling through their sermons.

"Da'is are crucial in raising people's moral awareness about the harms that online gambling can bring," she reiterated.

The minister further highlighted that the digital space has become a platform for both positive content and harmful materials, including online gambling.

With this in mind, Hafid encouraged Indonesian da'is to effectively utilize religious narratives in their preaching to support the government's efforts to counter the negative effects of digitization.

"In this digital era, it is essential to present religious messages in a relevant and engaging way to reach a wider audience," she pointed out.

Additionally, she affirmed that the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs would continue to invest in initiatives aimed at enhancing the digital literacy of Islamic clerics, helping them navigate the challenges and opportunities within the digital landscape.

"We are committed to improving the digital literacy of da'is so they can spread religious messages more effectively while combating the promotion of online gambling, which poses a threat to the Indonesian nation," she concluded.

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Translator: Livia Kristanti, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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