No Indonesian Fatwa Against Kopi Luwak

MUI Now Says Kopi Luwak Is Halal

Earlier reports said that 2 of Indonesia’s main Muslim organizations are discussing a possible fatwa concerning the highly prized and world famous coffee bean known locally as Kopi Luwak. But now, the Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI) has decided that Kopi Luwak is halal afterall.

What Is Kopi Luwak?

Kopi Luwak (civet coffee) is coffee made from the beans of coffee berries fed to civet cats which then passed them out through their digestive tracts as feces.  The coffee beans that came out of the civet cats this way are then retrieved and roasted. It is probably the most expensive coffee on earth.  It can retail at more than $600 per kg from online suppliers. According to the Indonesian Association of Coffee Producers, the worldwide production of Kopi Luwat is around 200 kg per annum.

Reason For Aborted Fatwa

Earlier Ma’aruf Amin, chairman of the Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI) said MUI would meet with Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) to discuss issuing a fatwa against kopi luwak.  Arwani Faishal, a NU member said that the concern is whether the civet cat is considered as najis under Islamic law.  Najis are things or persons considered as ritually unclean.  Arwani Faishal thinks civet cats are najis, but added: “But that is only my personal opinion.” Any Muslim coming into contact with najis are themselves contaminated, and they thus require purification before performing religious duties like prayers.

MUI Change Of Mind

 Now Ma’aruf Amin said: “After a long discussion among clerics here, we decided that it’s not sinful for Muslims to drink the Luwak coffee.”  But on what basis did MUI use to arrive at their new position?  Ma’aruf Amin said: “It’s not haram (forbidden in Islam) as long as you wash the beans with water to remove the civet cat’s droppings.” Then he added: “The beans have to be washed very clean and must be intact, not smashed, to prevent the feces from entering.” Ma’aruf Amin added this comforting parting assurance: “Muslims should not feel worried about drinking luwak coffee anymore.”

Dung Diplomacy

In March 2010, then Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a state visit to Indonesia.  President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono then gave Prime Minister Kevin Rudd a gift of civet coffee.  The press then promptly referred to it as “dung diplomacy” and “crapuccino”.

Think About It

Now that MUI has decided that the civet cat and Kopi Luwat are not najis, but are halal, what is the position of NU?   If the civet cat is deemed najis by NU, that makes Kopi Luwat also najis. Then President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono must likewise had been najis since he came into contact with Kopi Luwat when he presented this gourmet coffee as gift to then Australian Kevin Rudd. It is doubtful if the president had gone for purification.  Where does this lead to?