Jakarta, NU Online 

General chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama KH Said Aqil Siroj said his agreement the date of October 3 was commemorated as National Anti-Hoax Day. According to him, hoax was a slander that could destroy a nation. 

“Yes, I agree National Anti-Hoax Day. Because it can destroy this nation,” told Kiai Said after launching a construction of new building Nahdlatul Ulama University of Jakarta at Udik Kemang, Jakarta on Tuesday (10/9).

The alumnus of Ummul Quro University Mecca said that 15 centuries ago, Al-Qur’an in surah Al-Qalam verse 10-12 and surah Al Baqarah verse 217 had clarified the dangerous of slander.

“It was written on Qur’an. 15 centuries ago,” said ulema that born in Kempek Cirebon, west Jawa. 

Citing Al-Baqarah verse 217, Kiai Said stated, a slander has greater impact than a murder. In a murder, continued Kiai Said, the doer and the faulty were clear. While in a slander, there was no clear who did it, the source and its purpose. 

“Of course, (agree), alfitnatu asyaddu minal qatl. The impact of slander can destroy a nation,” stated Kiai Said. 

As known, hoax spreading that done by Indonesian political elites sometime ago was responded by several parties, such as The Development Unity Party (PPP) and West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil. They proposed October 3 was enacted as National Anti-Hoax Day. (Husni Sahal/Ahmad Rozali)