REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Ministry of Religious Affairs warned Metro TV to be more selective in choosing preachers for their religious program.

The warning came as a response to Nani Handayani's sermon in the "Syiar Kemuliaan" program broadcasted by Metro TV on Monday (December 4). 

During the program, preacher Nani made a fatal mistake in writing Quranic verses. 

She was failed to wrote preciesly the al Ankabut verse 35 that said, "Prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing".

"We have sent the letter to warn Metro TV," Director General for Guidance of the Islamic Community Ministry of Religious Affairs, Muhammadiyah Amin said when contacted by Republika.co.id, on Wednesday (December 6).

According to Muhammadiyah, Ministry also asked Metro TV to clarify the issue and apologize to public.

"First, we ask Metro TV to more selective because it will have implications for the society," he added.

Muhammadiyah said preachers can use digital Quran application launched by the Ministry to prevent such mistake. Moreover, writing Quran verse by hand is actually not necessary in the television religious program.

Furthermore, Muhammadiyah suggested all TV station to consult with the Ministry before inviting preachers for religious program. He asserted that the Ministry has an important role in serving public.

"Consult with the Ministry. Our role is also to provide services to the community, especially with religious programs in mass media," Muhammadiyah explained.

Professionalism

Meanwhile, Muslims intellectual Mahfud MD urged Metro TV to be professional in selecting preachers. He believed, the incident was not done intentionally.

He called on all TV stations to have a team to select preachers, not only based on their ability to speak in public and have a camera face.

Mahfud asked the people to respect Nani.

He assumed, Nani might have a great spirit to worship, but not yet competent to lecture in public.   

"The mistake in writing Quranic verses shows that the preacher did not know Arabic at all," Mahfud said.

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