The 11th National Conference (Munas XI) of the Indonesian Ulema Council (Majelis Ulama Indonesia/MUI) concluded with significant appointments for the 2025-2030 period, including the strategic appointment of Prof. Dr. Fasli Jalal, Ph.D., SpGK as Head of the Health Division (Ketua Bidang Kesehatan) at Hotel Mercure Ancol, Jakarta, on Saturday, November 22, 2025. This appointment recognizes Prof. Fasli Jalal’s extensive expertise in nutrition and public health, positioning him to lead MUI’s efforts in addressing critical health challenges facing Indonesian Muslim communities. As a distinguished professor and nutrition specialist, Prof. Fasli Jalal brings decades of experience in public health policy, nutrition programs, and healthcare system development to this influential role. The Health Division under his leadership will be responsible for providing Islamic guidance on healthcare ethics, developing fatwas related to medical procedures and treatments, addressing public health crises, promoting preventive health practices aligned with Islamic teachings, and ensuring that health policies respect religious values while advancing medical science. This appointment comes at a crucial time when Indonesia faces complex health challenges including infectious disease control, non-communicable disease prevention, maternal and child health improvement, and the need for ethical frameworks addressing emerging medical technologies.
Prof. Fasli Jalal’s appointment as Head of the Health Division directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 3 on Good Health and Well-being, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Through MUI’s influential position in Indonesian society, his leadership can bridge the gap between medical science and religious guidance, promoting health-seeking behaviors, vaccination acceptance, nutrition improvement, and disease prevention among Muslim communities. His expertise in nutrition science is particularly vital for addressing malnutrition and stunting, key targets under SDG 2 on Zero Hunger and SDG 3. By providing authoritative Islamic perspectives on health issues, the Health Division under Prof. Fasli Jalal can combat misinformation, reduce stigma around diseases such as tuberculosis and mental health disorders, and promote evidence-based health practices consistent with Islamic principles. Furthermore, this role supports SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals by fostering collaboration between religious institutions, healthcare providers, government agencies, and communities in achieving universal health coverage and improving population health outcomes. Through his leadership, MUI can contribute significantly to Indonesia’s efforts in building a healthier nation that respects both scientific evidence and religious values, ultimately advancing the country’s progress toward achieving comprehensive sustainable development goals.
