The interpretation of Islam in the world’s most populous Muslim nation, Indonesia, has long been described as ‘moderate’ or ‘peaceful. However a series of fatwas issued on Friday by the influential Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), have raised questions about where Islam is heading. Local press reported 11 fatwas were issued against religious pluralism and aimed at promoting a more radical version of Islam. “Inter-religious dialogue and the progress of Islam towards more moderate shores in Indonesia risks being put back ten years” Ulil Absar Abdullah, head of the Liberal Islamic Network (LIN) told Adnkronos International (AKI). The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI),the government-approved body that acts as an umbrella group for the Muslim organisations in the country and is generally conservative, wound up a national congress on Friday. Full Story