The Book 'Islam ala Prabowo' Launches, Cleric Praise Sparks Netizen Backlash
The book 'Islam ala Prabowo: How Prabowo Subianto Practices Islamic Teachings' was officially launched in Jakarta on Tuesday (26/8/2025) by MUI Chairman KH Anwar Iskandar and BAZNAS Chairman Prof. Dr. KH Noor Ahmad. The book delves into President Prabowo Subianto's Islamic journey, including how Islamic values are said to be reflected in his life and leadership.
The launch got a warm reception from several religious figures, but it drew a different kind of response from some netizens. They questioned the need for a president's religious life to be specially packaged into a book and backed up by clerics. Some comments also brought up opinions about how close the ulama are to those in power.
Looking at the relationship between religion and power, clerics ideally should hold an independent moral stance, not just dishing out praise but also giving reminders and criticizing policies that seem to stray from justice and the people's interests. The public has every right to ask whether religion is being used as a compass for power, or the other way around.
The measure of a cleric's example isn't how often they get praised by the palace, but the courage to speak truth in front of power. Religion should be a moral guide, not just some decoration to pretty up a ruler's image.
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