REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Advisory Council of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has asked Muslims to put forward the Islamic brotherhood during the 2019 presidential and legislative elections. Muslims also called on to not spread hatred

"It takes the unity and togetherness of the entire family of the nation, especially the unity of Muslims, by promoting Islamic brotherhood and refraining from spreading hatred to make the general elections a civilized means to overcome incivilization," MUI Advisory Council Chairman Din Syamsuddin remarked here on Wednesday.

During the election period, the political temperature among state administrators to the grassroots tends to rise because of the splitting of voting support during the elections.  "The most dangerous threat is the deviation, distortion and disorientation of our national life from the basic values of Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, especially in our socio-political life, socio-economic and socio-cultural life," he said.

For this reason, he called on Muslims to prioritize the unity and integrity of the nation, respect differences in political choices and not easily be provoked by the many false stories that often appear on social media.

Previously, ulemas in an Ijtima II meeting in Jakarta on Sept 16 expressed support for presidential contender Prabowo Subianto and his running mate, Sandiaga Uno for the next year's election. The Ulemas Ijtima II lent its support after Prabowo who is a former commandant of the Army's elite strike force Kapassus, signed an integrity pact made by the Ulemas.

"The honest support given to us is very touching for me and I promise to the Ulemas Ijtima that I will contribute all my spirit and sole to do the best for the nation and state of Indonesia," Prabowo said during press conference.

Meanwhile, on Sept 18, vice presidential candidate KH Ma'ruf Amin has expressed optimism that the majority of Muslims in the country would support incumbent President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and him in the election next year. He said around 400 influential clerics have already expressed their support to his camp for the election in April 2019.

"Around 400 senior and influential clerics (that) have gathered in Jakarta and declared support to Jokowi and me," he said at High End Building in response to newsmen regarding the decision of clerics grouped in the National Movement to Safeguard Ulemas Fatwa (GNPF) to support the opposition's camp presidential contender Prabowo Subianto and his running mate Sandiaga Uno.

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