"The MUI issued the edict without being ordered to by any party. So far, many people think that, if a MUI fatwa is in line with the desire of the government, the advice is issued based on an order," Ma`ruf said here on Tuesday.
He said that MUI issued the fatwa based on its deep observation and concern over the serious damage being done to the environment.
The MUI chairman said ulema (Muslim cleric) were concerned about damage to the environment and therefore they had set up an institution dealing with environmental issues, namely MUI`s Agency for Environmental Appreciation.
"Therefore, we are cooperating with the Ministry of the Environment," he said.
In its edict, the MUI said natural resources could be mined as long as it was done to improve the people`s prosperity, but mining operations should not cause damage to the environment.
"Based on MUI`s observation, our environment has been seriously damaged. Religion teaches us not to cause damage," he said.
In principle, Islam recommends the development of people`s prosperity and the prevention of damage or at least the efforts should be aimed at optimizing benefits and minimizing damage, he said.
"We see that natural resource exploitation has been so excessive that it has also caused damage. Even, there is possibility that our natural resources have been tapped for certain parties not for the prosperity of the people," he said.
(Uu.A014/HAJM/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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