The Strategic Role of Religious Leaders is the Key to Overcoming Online Gambling
Jakarta — The fight against Online Gambling is now not only the business of law enforcement and the government, but has also involved religious figures as the front line in saving society from the clutches of this deviant behavior.
Jambi Governor Al Haris firmly invited preachers and speakers to play an active role in eradicating Online Gambling through a religious approach. He emphasized that the role of religious leaders is very crucial in providing moral enlightenment to society, especially the younger generation who are most vulnerable to falling into digital-based gambling practices.
“I ask preachers and preachers to take part because there are many things that can be done from different sides but the goal is the same, especially in eradicating Online Gambling,” said Al Haris in a statement in Jambi.
He said that the anti-Online Gambling campaign movement should not only be ceremonial, but must directly touch the root of the problem in society.
Al Haris’ concerns are justified. Data shows that online gambling users in Jambi are dominated by school children and those of productive age. This is a dangerous signal for the future of the nation’s next generation. The Governor of Jambi even said that the rampant online gambling reflects the failure of some parents and teachers to instill religious and moral values from an early age.
Responding to this, the Head of the Nahdlatul Ulama Regional Management Board (PWNU) of Jambi Province, Iskandar Nasution, stated NU’s readiness to synergize with the government in combating online gambling.
“NU is ready to help and contribute to overcoming online gambling through our institution,” he said.
PWNU will mobilize the network of Islamic boarding schools and community groups to strongly reject all forms of digital gambling that are considered to damage the social order and faith of the people.
In line with that, the Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid invited preachers to strengthen preaching in the digital space. According to him, preaching in the current era is not enough to be carried out only in mosques or religious studies, but must also target social media and other online platforms that are places for the spread of negative content.
“We are committed to providing digital literacy for preachers so that they can be more effective in delivering preaching messages and fighting the promotion of Online Gambling that is detrimental to the Indonesian people,” said Meutya.
Collaboration between the government, religious leaders, and religious institutions is an important foundation in dealing with the increasingly widespread dangers of Online Gambling. With a moral and spiritual approach that touches the hearts of the people, the fight against Online Gambling is expected to produce real results in order to create a generation that is mentally, spiritually, and socially healthy.
[edRW]
