Defamation Case Stalls, Prof Zainal Warns Threat to Religious Moderation
The Chair of the Central Sulawesi Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB), Zainal Abidin, emphasized the importance of a legal resolution regarding the case implicating Rafiq Al Amri (RAA). He stated that legal certainty is needed to preserve a healthy space for religious propagation, especially in advocating religious moderation, to protect the future of tolerance in society. "This struggle of mine is not personal. I believe it must be persistently fought for so that people do not become afraid to speak about tolerance and moderation," asserted Prof. Zainal on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
The case originated from a post by a member of the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) for the Central Sulawesi electoral district, containing a clip of Prof Zainal's sermon with a narrative accusing him of blasphemy, which triggered negative comments and attacks on social media. This figure lamented the pattern of judgment in digital spaces without clarification or direct dialogue, believing differences in perspective should be resolved through discussion or appropriate legal channels.
Regarding reconciliation, Prof Zainal mentioned there is little opportunity as previous mediation efforts at the National Police Headquarters did not yield results. He asserted that resolution through the courts is the most appropriate step to ensure legal clarity and objectively determine the right and wrong parties.
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