The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) officially launched a series of goodwill visits themed "Digital Silk Road" in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, China, on Thursday (09/07/2026). A total of 24 central executive members of MUI across various sectors were dispatched with the primary mission of expanding the reach of da'wah in the digital era, exploring halal economy opportunities, and strengthening cultural diplomacy between the two countries.
Head of MUI's Information, Communication, and Digitalization Division (Infokomdigi), KH Masduki Baidlowi, who led the delegation, stated that the urgency of the visit was driven by shifts in the global information landscape. According to him, the current dominance of search engine algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) requires scholars (ulama) to be more adaptive so that scholarly authority remains relevant to the younger generation of digital natives.
"Da'wah can no longer rely solely on conventional patterns. We must enter the digital space because that is where the community's communication is now centered. Through the Digital Silk Road, MUI strives to ensure that religious messages remain present and able to compete healthily amidst the global flow of information," stressed KH Masduki after coordinating with the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Guangzhou.
Over the next five days, the MUI delegation is scheduled to visit several strategic entities in China, ranging from Huaisheng Mosque and Xianxian Mosque to tech giants such as EV-focused BYD Company, XAG Technology, and Hytera Communications. The visit will also target the halal economy sector and communication technology development, which are strengths of the Guangdong region.
The delegation, representing nine core divisions of MUI, is expected to bring back new insights regarding technology integration in organizational management and public services. This diplomatic visit will conclude on Monday, July 13, 2026, with the hope of building a sustainable foundation for cooperation between Indonesian religious institutions and strategic partners in China.
