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Indonesia's highest Islamic council to issue fatwa against 'fake news' Indonesia's highest Islamic council to issue fatwa against 'fake news'
(35 minutes later)
Indonesia’s highest Muslim authority is to issue a fatwa declaring the spread of “fake news” to be un-Islamic amid concern over sectarian tensions.Indonesia’s highest Muslim authority is to issue a fatwa declaring the spread of “fake news” to be un-Islamic amid concern over sectarian tensions.
The Indonesia Ulema Council’s chairman, Maaruf Amin, said: “We will issue it as soon as possible, because the situation is worrying.The Indonesia Ulema Council’s chairman, Maaruf Amin, said: “We will issue it as soon as possible, because the situation is worrying.
“Hopefully, at least Muslims won't be involved anymore in hoaxes.”“Hopefully, at least Muslims won't be involved anymore in hoaxes.”
The religious edict, which is not legally binding, is expected to be issued before the elections for the governor of Jakarta on 15 February, which have been rife with religious tension.The religious edict, which is not legally binding, is expected to be issued before the elections for the governor of Jakarta on 15 February, which have been rife with religious tension.
Incumbent governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known as Ahok, is running against two Muslim candidates to become the first elected non-Muslim governor in Indonesia.Incumbent governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known as Ahok, is running against two Muslim candidates to become the first elected non-Muslim governor in Indonesia.
Ahok, a Christian of Chinese ethnicity, was promoted to his post after his predecessor Joko Widodo won the 2014 presidential election and has not yet been tested by a vote. Ahok, a Christian of Chinese ethnicity, was promoted to his post after his predecessor, Joko Widodo, won the 2014 presidential election and has not yet been tested by a vote.
Right-wing Islamic groups have claimed voters in the world’s largest Muslim country should not vote for “non-believers” and Ahok has been embroiled in a blasphemy trial in which he stands accused of insulting the Quran.Right-wing Islamic groups have claimed voters in the world’s largest Muslim country should not vote for “non-believers” and Ahok has been embroiled in a blasphemy trial in which he stands accused of insulting the Quran.
The case arose from an incorrectly subtitled video, which went viral on social media late last year, of comments the politician made about his opponents' use of the holy book in political campaigning. The case was prompted by  an incorrectly subtitled video the politician's comments on his opponents' use of the holy book in political campaigning, which went viral on social media last year.
Hundreds of thousands of Muslims led by the hardline Islam Defenders Front have twice descended on Jakarta to protest against Ahok and call for him to be jailed, sparking international alarm ovr the protection of religious minorities. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims led by the hardline Islam Defenders Front descended on Jakarta twice to protest against Ahok and call for him to be jailed, sparking international alarm over the protection of religious minorities.
President Widodo has repeatedly urged social media users to refrain from spreading false posts and the government has invited executives from social media giant Facebook for talks to help combat the problem. It is the latest incident where "fake news" has been linked to social tensions, following the Pizzagate scandal in the US and false stories about Muslim migrants across Europe, which have prompted a court case in Germany.
President Widodo has repeatedly urged social media users to refrain from spreading false posts and the government has invited executives from Facebook for talks to help combat the problem.
Communications minister Rudiantara is to put the Indonesian government’s request for false information to be removed with leaders of Facebook Asia-Pacific at a meeting next week.Communications minister Rudiantara is to put the Indonesian government’s request for false information to be removed with leaders of Facebook Asia-Pacific at a meeting next week.
The Ulema Council, with representatives from the country's main moderate and conservative Muslim groups, frequently issues such edicts but they usually have little immediate impact. The Ulema Council, including representatives from the country's main moderate and conservative Muslim groups, frequently issues fatwas but they usually have little immediate impact.
A fatwa was issued last year against clearing land for plantations by burning vegetation, in an effort to prevent smoke pollution that blankets Southeast Asia almost every year. An edict was issued last year against clearing land for plantations by burning vegetation, in an effort to prevent pollution.
In December, the council defended another fatwa trying to ban companies from forcing Muslim employees to wear Santa hats and other “Christmas-related attire”, the Jakarta Post reported.In December, the council defended another fatwa trying to ban companies from forcing Muslim employees to wear Santa hats and other “Christmas-related attire”, the Jakarta Post reported.
Additional reporting by ReutersAdditional reporting by Reuters