Draft:Mohammad Cholil Nafis
| Mohammad Cholil Nafis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Mohammad Cholil Nafis |
| Other Names | Dr. Mohammad Cholil Nafis |
| Personal Details | |
| Birth Place | |
| Brith Date | 1 June 1975 (CE) |
| Death Place | {{{death_place}}} |
| Death Date | {{{death_date}}} |
| Religion | Islam |
Mohammad Cholil Nafis is a cleric, politician, Minister of Religious Affairs[citation needed], member of the Leadership Council of the Indonesian Ulema Council, Secretary and Chairman of the Executive Board of the Ulema, Secretary and Chairman of the Central Commission for Da'wah and Social Development, Member of the National Sharia Council, and Head of Da'wah and Brotherhood of the Muslim Brotherhood in Indonesia. He believes that paying attention to the issue of Palestine means paying attention to other Muslims and that Palestinian fighters are mujahideen in the way of God. He believes that anyone who considers Israel an enemy should not use or purchase their products; because Israel is anti-humanity and anti-justice and should not be financially supported and strengthened.
Biography
Mohammad Cholil Nafis was born on 1 June 1975 CE, in the Sampang Regency, East Java province, Indonesia. He completed his preliminary education at the Salafiyah Syafi'iyah Islamic School in Sampang Madura from 1981 CE to 1987 CE, Sidogiri Islamic High School in Pasuruan from 1987 CE to 1990 CE, and Al-Miftah High School in Pamekasan Madura from 1990 CE to 1993 CE. He then continued his studies at the Ibn Saud Islamic University, Jakarta[?] and received a bachelor's degree from 1996 CE to 2000 CE, and completed his graduate studies in Jakarta with a master's degree from 2001 to 2003 CE, and a doctoral degree from the University of Malaya in Malaysia from 2008 CE to 2010 CE. He also participated in a post-doctoral programme in 2013 CE at the Mohammed V University[?] in Rabat, Morocco.
Educational Activities
He has participated in non-degree educational programmes in various countries, such as:
- Levels of Arabic language and literature at the Arabic language Institute, Jakarta from 1993 CE to 1996 CE;
- Preacher staff training from 1996 CE to 1997 CE;
- Training for staff and the Indonesian Ulema Council in Jakarta province from 1997 CE to 1998 CE;
- International English Course (IEC) in Jakarta from 1999 CE to 2000 CE;
- TOEFL course at the Language Institute of Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University, Jakarta in 2002 CE;
- Short-term Education Management course at Leeds University, England in 2005 CE;
- Short-term Islamic Economics course at Al-Mustafa International University, Qom in Iran in 2011 CE;
- Visiting researcher at Oxford University, England.
Cultural Activities
Cholil Nafis is actively present in numerous Islamic seminars and programmes inside and outside the country, including:
- Participation in Damai Indonesiaku (TVOne) and Harmony (TVRI) television programmes;
- Active media source and owner of the Da'wah website through information technology (cholilnafis.tv);
- Obtaining a Sharia Supervisor Certificate from the National Sharia Council and Bank Indonesia in 2012 CE;
- Obtaining a post-doctoral scholarship at Mohammed V University, Morocco in 2013 CE;
- Obtaining a certificate from the National Sharia Supervisory Board on Multiple Sharia Financial Affairs in 2015 CE;
- Obtaining a Sharia Supervisor Competency Assessment Training Certificate in 2016 CE;
- General Chairman of the Islamic Student Movement of Indonesia (PMII), Central Jakarta Branch from 1997 CE to 1998 CE;
- Vice Chairman of the Regional Executive Board of the National Committee of Indonesian Youth (KNPI), Special Capital Region of Jakarta from 2002 CE to 2005 CE.
Positions Held
- Member of the Leadership Council of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Special Capital Region of Jakarta from 2002 CE to 2005 CE;
- Secretary and Chairman of the Executive Board of the Ulema Institute (LBM PBNU) from 1999 CE to 2015 CE;
- Secretary and Chairman of the Central Commission for Da'wah and Social Development (MUI) from 2005 CE to 2020 CE;
- Member of the National Sharia Council (DSN-MUI) from 2015 CE to 2020 CE;
- Chairman of the Central Council of Indonesian Students from 2020 CE to 2025 CE;
- Head of Da'wah and Brotherhood of the Muslim Brotherhood;
- Head of the Religious Affairs Section of the International Conference of Islamic Scholars (ICIS) from 2015 CE to 2020 CE;
- Chairman of the Interfaith Association for Diverse Communities Related to Family Welfare and Population (FAPSEDU) from 2014 CE to 2019 CE.
Viewpoint
Dr. Cholil Nafis has expressed numerous opinions on various Islamic issues such as: nationalism in Islam, health insurance in accordance with Sharia, sex education and efforts to increase the awareness of the younger generation regarding the importance of cleanliness and self-esteem, and fatwas (Islamic rulings) in Islam[1].
The Necessity of Muslims' Attention to the Issue of Palestine
Cholil Nafis, Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and a prominent figure of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) movement, said: Paying attention to Palestine means paying attention to other Muslims. The founder of the Nahdlatul Ulama movement even referred to Palestinian fighters as mujahideen. He stated: This movement has supported Palestine since the time of its founders, Hasyim Asy'ari and Wahab Hasbullah.
He criticized those who criticize Palestine, even going so far as to state that a former official considered Palestinian affairs irrelevant to Indonesia. Cholil Nafis explained that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny) expressed two phrases regarding the relationship between believers: they are like one body (jasadun wahid) and like one building (bunyanun wahid). Therefore, it is not right to say that the issue of Palestine is solely an issue concerning Arabs, Palestinians, and Jews, such that they do not feel that it is part of our affairs. This is inappropriate for someone who has faith in their heart and has an honorable attitude in their life.
He said: Therefore, what Palestinian Muslims feel, who cannot enjoy the Eid due to the savage attacks of Zionist Israelis, is also felt by all Muslims around the world. He added: If Muslims are likened to a single building, it means they must strengthen each other. Therefore, the bonds of unity and cohesion must be strengthened due to our shared faith, regardless of where we come from, and solidarity between Muslims in Palestine also needs help, whether in the form of intellectual help, or in the form of power/financial aid. But remember, do not misdirect your financial aid.
The Necessity of Boycotting Israeli Goods
Dr. Cholil Nafis said: Let us not, under the pretext of caring for our own country, be busy responding to those who do not care about Palestine. Let us not allow our minds to be limited by those who do not care about oppressed and colonized humanity. Let us continue to care for Palestine and save Al-Aqsa Mosque, and God grant us repentance. He emphasized: If Palestine is not our concern, then what is? Let us also address the trillion-dollar corruption in the social aid sector. Do not let intellectual actors escape. I believe and hope that the Corruption Eradication Commission can expose all individuals involved in corruption. He added: Anyone who considers Israel an enemy should not use or purchase their products; because Israel is against humanity and against justice, attacks innocent children and women, and should not be financially supported and strengthened. At the end of his speech, he said: For the sake of strengthening faith and humanitarian unity, let us support the humanitarian struggle in Palestine[2].
See also
Notes
References
- Biography of Mohammad Cholil Nafis, Indonesian Foundation Website (cariustadz.id), Publication date: n.d., Access date: 10 May 2026 (CE).
- The Importance of Palestine for Muslims, Kumparan Website (kumparan.com), Publication date: 21 May 2021 (CE), Access date: 10 May 2026 (CE).