REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia's ulemas (Islamic scholars) are called on to take initiative for unity of Indonesian people regardless of their religions.

"The ulemas have the responsibility not only to protect religion and people but also to safeguard the state and the nation, therefore when the country experiences discontent, and is less united, ulemas must take initiative with the umara (government) and other components of the nation to unite (the people)," KH Ma'ruf Amin, chairman of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) said here Thursday.

Kiai Ma'ruf made the remarks at the event of "Halaqah" (an Islamic gathering for the primary purpose of learning about Islam).

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) along with around 700 ulemas from across the country also attended the gathering.