Majelis

Majelis, from the Arabic majlis meaning a sitting, assembly, or council, is a term widely used in Malay and Indonesian to denote a formal gathering, council, or governing body. In everyday language it can refer to a meeting or conference, but in institutional contexts it denotes organized groups with specific roles, governance, or advisory functions. The form is used in several Southeast Asian languages and often appears in the official names of organizations and authorities.

In Indonesia and Malaysia, majelis is commonly used for both secular and religious bodies. Examples include Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI), a national council of Islamic scholars and clerics; Majelis Ta’lim or Majelis Taklim, informal or semi-formal religious study circles; and Majelis Wali Amanat or Majelis Association-like boards in universities and foundations. The term also appears in historical and constitutional contexts, such as Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat (the former supreme consultative assembly in Indonesia) and other deliberative or advisory councils. In Brunei, Malaysia, and other parts of the region, similar formations exist under the banner of majelis for religious, cultural, or social governance.

Etymologically, majelis derives from Arabic majlis, and in Arabic plural is majalis. In Malay and Indonesian usage, the word is flexible: it can name a standing council, a ceremonial assembly, or a recurring meeting group, as well as serve as a descriptive term for gatherings centered on religious study or community affairs. The exact scope of a majelis is defined by its statute, charter, or customary practice within a given country or organization.