Indonesia Gives Mining Permits to Religious Groups

Indonesia’s decision to award mining permits to religious organizations sparks problems with environmental groups, according to Channel News Asia. The country’s second-largest Islamic group, Muhammadiyah, announced at a press conference on July 28 that it is now prepared to accept mining concessions to operate state-owned mines. That follows a similar announcement from Nahdlatul Ulama, the country’s largest Islamic group, expressing support for the plan after President Joko Widodo’s administration introduced the policy in May. The two groups have an estimated total of more than 100 million followers in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country. Environmental groups are questioning if religious groups are suitable entities to operate mines and worry that they may cause environmental damage.