Abstract:
The Indonesian Ulema Council (Majelis Ulama Indonesia, MUI) was stigmatised as an institution
accommodating conservative Islamic groups’ interests post-New Order. However, the religious fatwas
produced by the MUI during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 had prioritised independence so that it
returned to its original role, namely as a translator of government policies. For this reason, this article aims
to examine the MUI fatwas and its relationship to state policies in tackling the spread of Covid-19. It is a
qualitative research study with a historical approach, examining the content of seven fatwas issued by the
Fatwa Commission (Komisi Fatwa) between March and July 2020 as the primary data sources. This study
found that MUI’s legal arguments and methods are more inclusive, flexible, and progressive towards socio
religious problems. These fatwas have become a reference for the government in taking policies to
suppress the spread of Covid-19. It is reinforced by the fact that several fatwas issued by MUI were used
as guidelines by the government in formulating policies to curb the spread of Covid-19. Therefore, the
authors argue that the MUI’s fatwa politics not only serve the interests of the Muslim community but also
align with the state’s interests in tackling the spread of Covid-19. Thus, the debate regarding the
stigmatisation of the role of MUI can be dismissed through these findings, providing new insights into the
dynamic interplay between religious and legal frameworks.
