The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) officially commenced a goodwill visit themed "Digital Silk Road" to Guangzhou and Shenzhen, China, on Thursday (9/7/2026). A total of 24 central executive members of MUI are participating in this strategic mission to broaden perspectives on the digitalization of dawah, the reinforcement of the halal economy, and the strengthening of people-to-people diplomacy between Indonesia and China.
Led by the Chairman of MUI for Information, Communication, and Digitalization (Infokomdigi), KH Masduki Baidlowi, the delegation began their agenda with coordination at the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Guangzhou. KH Masduki emphasized that this initiative represents an adaptive step for Islamic scholars (ulama) in addressing algorithmic challenges in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), which increasingly dominates access to religious information.
"The authority of the ulama currently faces challenges from search engine and social media algorithms. If the ulama wish to remain relevant and lead the community, mastering digital dawah is an absolute necessity that cannot be delayed," said KH Masduki after the meeting at the Indonesian Consulate General in Guangzhou.
Over the next five days, the MUI delegation is scheduled to visit several global technology innovation centers, such as XAG Technology, which operates in agricultural drones, as well as industrial giants including Hytera Communications, BYD Company, and Mindray Medical in Shenzhen. In addition to technological aspects, MUI will also explore the halal industry ecosystem through a visit to the Guangzhou Islamic Association and review economic opportunities at the international trade exhibition, the Canton Fair.
This mission involves cross-sectoral representatives within MUI, covering the fields of fatwa, economics, Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), and international relations. Animated by the spirit of khadimul ummah (servants of the community), MUI hopes this visit will foster concrete collaborations that benefit Muslims in Indonesia while strengthening the country's position on the global digital economy map when the delegation returns home on July 13.
