Hamka and the 1981 Christmas Fatwa

Abstract

Discussions about socio-religious life in Indonesia are indeed never-ending, especially as we all recognize that we, the Indonesian people, live in a pluralistic and diverse society, embracing various religions and comprising diverse ethnicities, cultures, and traditions. Although the purpose of Christmas celebrations in Indonesia is to celebrate and honor the Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him), Christmas cannot be separated from the issues discussed above, namely that for Christians, Christmas celebrations are a form of worship. Pluralism is a currently hotly debated idea. Experts from various disciplines and observers are striving to contribute their ideas on how to organize the pluralistic life of the Indonesian nation. A number of practitioners are doing the same. They share their experiences, which are worthy of attention in fostering community life directly. The goal is to maintain national harmony and unity. This article was prepared in 2006 for a panel discussion on HAMKA and the 1981 MUI Christmas Fatwa by UHAMKA and has never been previously published.