PORTALJABAR, BEKASI REGENCY - The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) of Bekasi Regency believes that strengthening families is key to addressing various social challenges emerging among the younger generation, including the LGBT phenomenon.

An approach that prioritizes dialogue, character education, mentoring, and a healthy social environment is considered more strategic than mere criticism or stigma.

The chairman of the Bekasi Regency Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), KH Prof. Mahmud, stated that families must once again become the primary source of attention, affection, role models, and a safe space for dialogue. The emotional presence of parents is considered crucial amidst social change and the rapid influence of social media.

"The most strategic solution to LGBT issues is not to increase social conflict, but rather to strengthen family resilience. Parents need to be present emotionally, not just physically. Children need attention, dialogue, affection, and role models," said KH Prof. Mahmud on Monday (September 1, 2026).

According to him, this issue cannot be viewed from a single perspective. Strengthening families must go hand in hand with character education in schools and community awareness. Schools are expected to not only develop academic skills but also instill responsibility, self-control, social etiquette, and religious and cultural values.

KH Prof. Mahmud also encouraged a friendly and educational approach to religion. He said that preaching should be a means of guiding society toward a better life, not merely passing judgment.

"Cooling preaching is often more effective than preaching that only contains anger. The aim of religion is not just to judge, but to direct people towards a better life," he said.

He added that the people of Bekasi Regency possess strong social capital through a culture of mutual cooperation, close family ties, and communal living. This social capital needs to be continuously strengthened to ensure the younger generation has a healthy and supportive environment.

To that end, he encouraged families to increase joint activities without gadgets, involve teenagers in sports, arts, organizations, and social activities, provide role models who are close to their children, and build a culture of dialogue within the family.

"Children who are listened to tend to be more open than those who are only judged. When children grow up in a warm family, receive a sound moral education, have a clear sense of purpose in life, and feel loved and appreciated, they are better prepared to face the various influences of the times," he said.

KH Prof. Mahmud emphasized that efforts to build a resilient young generation must begin within the immediate environment. Strong families, solid character education, and a caring community are three crucial pillars in building resilience in Bekasi Regency's youth.

"Major changes in society never begin in courtrooms or social media, but rather in the home. A home filled with love, exemplary behavior, and noble values will always be the first line of defense for the nation's future," he emphasized.

(Bekasi Regency Communications and Information Service/rka)