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Last week in Jakarta, members of the hard-line Islamic Defenders
Front (FPI) attacked a peaceful rally for religious tolerance.
Members of the Nadhlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia’s largest Muslim
organization, took part in the rally together with Christians and
Ahmadiyah followers. With bamboo sticks and stones, the FPI
viciously attacked hundreds of peaceful demonstrators, injuring
dozens including Dr Syafi’i Anwar of the International Center for
Islam and Pluralism (ICIP).
I was aghast to hear that Syafi’i Anwar and
the peaceful demonstrators had been hurt by that mob. A good friend,
Syafi’i has been a brave and steadfast advocate for pluralism and
tolerance. He has been in forefront of efforts to strengthen
cooperation between and among Muslim democrats in the Southeast
Asian region, a leader in the organization of the Southeast Asian
Forum for Islam and Democracy (Seafid). He visited Jolo, Sulu, after
the first Seafid meeting held in Manila on December 2007. He was
distraught after seeing for himself the abject poverty in my
province. He had the impression that our lives had improved after
the signing of the GRP-MNLF Final Peace Agreement.
What was the clash all about? It was about the
Ahmadiyah in particular, and about religious freedom in general.
Who are the Ahmadiyah? Why do they generate such
hostility? The Ahmadiyah is a religious sect founded by Mirza Ghulam
Ahmad Qadiani in 1889 in East Punjab, India. While mainstream
Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad is the final prophet, the
Ahmadiyah believe their founder is another prophet of Islam, sent to
revitalize our faith. This idea, rejected by the Muslim majority, is
considered deviant and blasphemous.
There are an estimated 10 million Ahmadiyah
followers worldwide, with half a million in Indonesia. Indonesian
Attorney General Whishnu Subroto had banned the Ahmadiyah from
practising in the country. Many Indonesian Muslim leaders, including
Syafii Anwar, protest that the ban violates Indonesian law.
Most of Indonesian Muslims have not opposed
Ahmadiyah, although they strongly disagree with the latter’s
belief. NU, led by former President Abdurrahman Wahid, and
Muhammadiyah, the second largest Islamic organization in Indonesia
led by Din Syamsuddin, have not protested against the Ahmadiyah. The
demand to ban has come from radical Islamic groups. Why did the
government succumb to the radical few?
In an interview on April, Syafi’I Anwar said
the ban was “definitely against human rights, against our
constitution, and against religious teaching as well. Why, because
the government should be maintaining religious freedom in Indonesia.
Unfortunately the government seems to be siding with the Islamic
radical groups who ban Ahmadiyah. I strongly believe that
internationally this kind of decision would be counter-productive
for Indonesia as perceived of a moderate Muslim.”
Why can’t the Ahmadiyah practice their faith,
objectionable though it may be to most Muslims, when the Holy
Qur’an recognizes the existence of other religions and the right
of men and women to practice their chosen faith?
“Unto you your religion, and unto me my
religion,” [The Holy Quran, 109:6]
“Whosoever will, let him believe, and
whosoever will, let him disbelieve,” [The Holy Quran, 18:29]
“There is no compulsion in religion. The right
direction is distinct from error,” [The Holy Quran, 2:256]
Such brutal attacks against peaceful, innocent
people who were demonstrating their belief in religious tolerance
must be condemned and prevented.
Unfortunately, more violence has followed that
attack. On June 11, members of the NU clashed with FPI. Dozens were
hurt. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has appealed for
calm, directing the police to arrest the perpetrators of violent
acts. Many fear that more hostilities will follow.
Former President Abdurrahman Wahid has
criticized the government for being slow to act in the face of
FPI’s violence. The Indonesian government, viewed as a model of
homegrown democracy, must live up to its promise and protect those
whose only weapon is their belief in pluralism and religious
tolerance. It will be a major blow if Indonesia, with its history of
multiculturalism, becomes a land where the violent radical few will
hold the lives of the moderate majority hostage.
Hostages in Jolo
Moving on to the hostages in Jolo. Criminal acts
like the kidnapping of the ABS-CBN team should not be tolerated. Ces
Drilon and her companions are not the only victims. The Tausug of
Sulu are also hostaged, suffering from the negative attention that
such a high profile kidnappingbrings. I pray that this incident will
not lead to another all-out war operation in Sulu.
aminarasul@yahoo.com
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