EXAMINING RELIGIOUS MODERATION OF THE AL-JAM'IYATUL WASHLIYAH FATWA COUNCIL

Abstract

Al Jam’iyatul Washliyah was founded in 1930 in Medan North Sumatera, a plural region religion-wise. Many consider Al Washliyah maintaining moderate understanding of Islam. Its Fatwa Council produced considerable number of fatwas in recent years, including fatwas that test Al Washliyah’s position on difficult issues, including issues on terrorism, non-Muslims, Islamic sects, women leadership, and LGBTs. By reviewing the organizational documents using the content analysis method, results showed that not all fatwas issued by the organization reflected its moderate claim. Regarding jihad and terrorism, Al Washliyah’s fatwa certainly against using terror in achieving religious goals. Likewise, they consider Shi’ah as orthodox as Sunni, although this decision is contentious inside Al Washliyah since many ulama within the organization opposed it. However, its fatwas in respect to religious pluralism and Islamic sects hints its conservative stance as echoed from their fatwas on interreligious marriage, non-Muslim leader, Ahmadiyah and LGBTs. This shows that such issues remain difficult test for many Indonesian Muslims as religious moderatism increasingly erodes in recent times.