Action, not flattery needed<\/p>\n
In a joint press conference with his host, President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri, on Wednesday, U.S. President George W. Bush sent a
\nstrong message to Indonesian Muslims, the majority of the
\ncountry's population, that he deeply respects Islam, which he
\ndescribed as a religion that is fully compatible with democracy,
\ntolerance and progress.<\/p>\n
Bush also reiterated that the all-out American war against
\nglobal terrorists -- who, unfortunately, are mostly members of
\nIslamic-oriented groups -- is not a war against Islam.<\/p>\n
"Terrorists who claim Islam as their inspiration defile one of
\nthe world's great faiths. Murder has no place in any religious
\ntradition -- and must find no home in Indonesia," Bush said
\nduring the media briefing at the Patra Bali Hotel.<\/p>\n
As a token of appreciation for Megawati's resolute measures
\nagainst the terrorists here, Reuters reported that Bush said
\nhe would propose a six-year project to Congress worth US$175
\nmillion to support basic education in Indonesia as part of the
\neffort to develop an education system that discouraged extremism.<\/p>\n
Nahdlatul Ulama chairman Hasyim Muzadi, however, directly
\nexpressed to the American president his opposition to the
\nproject, which is clearly aimed at pesantren (Islamic boarding
\nschools), often cited as one of the prime breeding grounds for
\nterrorists.<\/p>\n
No less important than the bilateral summit itself, Bush also
\nmet with the leaders of Indonesia's major religions, including
\nMuslim, Christian and Hindu leaders.<\/p>\n
First of all, we would like to salute the three Indonesian
\nMuslim leaders -- the chairman of this country's largest Muslim
\norganization Nahdlatul Ulama, Hasyim Muzadi, of the second
\nlargest, Muhammadiyah, A. Safii Maarif, and State Islamic
\nUniversity (UIN) rector Azyumardi Azra -- for their perseverance
\nin meeting U.S. President George W. Bush on Wednesday despite
\nstrong public opposition to any such meeting from some in the
\nMuslim community.<\/p>\n
We believe the three prominent Muslims proved their
\nstatesmanship by directly conveying to the U.S. president the
\ndeep opposition of the majority of the Muslim population here to
\nthe U.S.'s arbitrary policies in fighting terrorism, and its soft
\nposition on Israel, which continues to act in a brutal and
\nunrestrained manner against the Palestinians.<\/p>\n
Their readiness to hold talks with Bush once again signals to
\nthe world that the majority of Indonesian Muslims are not only
\nmoderate, but also people who are always ready to open their
\nhearts and minds, even to those who adopt a position contrary to
\ntheir own. The Muslim leaders spoke frankly to America's top
\nleader.<\/p>\n
Megawati's government, for its part, has done well in
\ncombating terrorism, as proved by its handling of the Oct. 12
\nBali bombings last year.<\/p>\n
We warmly welcome President Bush's reiteration of his stance
\non Islam and his high regard for Indonesia, which he described as
\nthe third largest democracy in the world. However, it is
\nimportant to note here that this is not the first time he has
\nvoiced such flattering commendations.<\/p>\n
These commendations, however, will be far from enough to
\nconvince Indonesians here. Or worse, the message could even
\ndeepen the sense of dissatisfaction with the world's only
\nsuperpower as what people want to see from the president is
\nconcrete action to back up what he says, not just lip service and
\nempty statements.<\/p>\n
We fully understand America's traumatic experience in the
\nSept. 11 terrorist attacks. As a nation that thinks of itself as
\ncivilized, we also fully support the U.S. war to eradicate
\nterrorism. However, we are sorry to say that for most people
\nhere, and most probably also in other predominantly Muslim
\ncountries, it is apparent that the superpower is putting on a
\ncharade of pretending not to know what the root cause of
\nterrorism is.<\/p>\n
The war against terrorism should not be used as an excuse to
\nbully weaker countries. Hasyim told the president that his
\ngovernment's unwillingness to act against Israel's barbaric
\ntreatment of the Palestinians has sparked anger among the world's
\n1 billion Muslims.<\/p>\n
How can the U.S. preach to the world about justice when it
\npermits Israel's efforts to subjugate the Palestinians by
\nwhatever means it deems fit to continue? Why does the superpower
\ndemand that Iran stop its nuclear program while defending
\nIsrael's nuclear program at the same time?<\/p>\n
The U.S. and its allies invaded Iraq based on reasons the
\nveracity of which are now being questioned, even among Americans
\nthemselves. Bush can say that the occupation of Iraq has nothing
\nto do with Islam. Nevertheless, people see that most of the
\nvictims are Muslims. Many people here even doubt the sincerity of
\nPresident Bush's statements about Islam.<\/p>\n
Finally, we want to call on President Bush to back up his
\npublic remarks about justice, Islam and terrorism by concrete
\nactions that are in line with universal values and interests, and
\nnot only American values and interests.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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