TGB Speaks Out on the President’s Sacrificial Cow Controversy: What’s Mentioned Is the Position, Not a Personal Name
Religious figure and former NTB Governor, Tuan Guru Bajang (TGB) M. Zainul Majdi, responded to the debate over the procurement of 1,098 sacrificial cows by President Prabowo Subianto using state budget funds worth around Rp100 billion. TGB emphasized that the government's qurbani program is nothing new and has long been a tradition, both at the central and regional levels.
According to TGB, the program uses the title of the office, not the official's personal name, since the funds come from public money. He explained that sacrificial cows are usually labeled “President’s Qurbani” or “Governor’s Qurbani,” and gave an example from when he was governor, there was also a governor’s qurbani, not in his personal name.
TGB acknowledged that from a fiqh perspective, this can be debated, but in substance, the program benefits the community. He sees the program as a form of government social assistance that must be carried out transparently and not claimed as personal sacrifice. TGB urged the public to distinguish between personal qurbani worship and social assistance programs, and said those who are uncomfortable are free not to accept the sacrificial meat.
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