Coordinating Minister Yusril Clarifies Role in 'Islam ala Prabowo' Book

Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, has clarified his involvement in the book 'Islam ala Prabowo: Cara Prabowo Mengamalkan Ajaran Islam' (Islam ala Prabowo: How Prabowo Practices Islamic Teachings). The book, officially launched on August 26, 2025, garnered public attention after its cover, table of contents, and descriptions circulated widely on social media, with many questioning the title and the figures associated with it, including Yusril. Yusril explained that the article bearing his name in the book was based on an interview conducted by the book's compilation team. He stated that he did not directly write the book, nor did he review the transcript or manuscript after the interview until its publication. "I did not write the book. I was only interviewed by the compilation team. After the interview was finished, I never saw the transcript or the manuscript of the interview results until the book was published," Yusril said in a written statement to reporters in Jakarta on Monday (7/9). He has since read the article and expressed satisfaction, stating that his views from the interview were well-represented in the written piece and are academically accountable. The article, titled "Peduli Kepada Rakyat dan Keadilan" (Caring for the People and Justice), is located in Part 1, page 2, focusing on the theme "Islam: Peace and Justice." Yusril mentioned that the interview took place before he was appointed as a minister in the Merah Putih Cabinet and could not recall the interviewer's identity or their affiliation with the compilation team. He further clarified that he had no role in conceptualizing or financing the book's publication, asserting his position solely as an interviewed individual, not a sponsor or initiator. Regarding the book's title, which has sparked public discussion and debate, Yusril stated he was not involved in its selection. He suggested that a title like 'Prabowo and Islam' might have been more easily understood. Yusril attributed the debate to a societal tendency to judge a book by its cover without reading it thoroughly. "People nowadays tend to be impatient to read a rather long book. They read the title, then assume it represents the entire content. After that, they give their assessment based on their own perspective, and not infrequently based on their own interests," Yusril commented. He emphasized the importance of understanding the full content and context before making judgments, urging the public to familiarize themselves with the substance before debating the title. Yusril also noted that his name appearing in the book's copyright section was not discussed with him beforehand, though he did not make it a major issue. The book 'Islam ala Prabowo' was launched during the BAZNAS 2025 National Coordination Meeting in Jakarta on August 26, 2025. According to BAZNAS statements and launch news, the book was initiated by MPR Chairman Ahmad Muzani and MUI Chairman KH Anwar Iskandar. The compilation was carried out by Abdur Rahim Hasan, Rikal Dikri, and Mush'ab Muqoddas. The cover features contributions from figures like MPR Chairman Ahmad Muzani (prologue) and religious scholar Asep Saifuddin Chalim (epilogue), alongside Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Abdul Mu'ti, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, and MUI Central Java Chairman for 2026-2031, Noor Achmad.