Amien against creating Islamic state<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The chairman of the Muhammadiyah Moslem
\norganization, Amien Rais, said that efforts to enforce the
\ncreation of an Islamic state here would be detrimental to the
\nreligion's image.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a discussion late Friday evening, the chairman of
\nthe 28 million-strong grassroots organization maintained that
\nthere was no direct reference in the Koran to the formation of an
\nIslamic state.<\/p>\n
Without a stipulation or demand in the Koran, he said he could
\nnot support the idea of forcefully forming an Islamic state in
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has the largest Moslem population in the world, with
\nMoslems representing more than 87 percent of the nation's 203
\nmillion citizens.<\/p>\n
He said it was not surprising that there was an Islamic
\nelement in Indonesian politics.<\/p>\n
Prior to the formation of the New Order in the late 1960s,
\nIslamic parties played a prominent role in shaping the political
\nmap.<\/p>\n
But the 1945 Constitution acknowledged the presence of other
\nreligions and protected its followers' rights to practice and
\npreach their religion accordingly.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has been rocked several times by Islamic-based
\nsecessionist groups who want to set up an Islamic state.<\/p>\n
The DI\/TII group in West Java -- which staged one of the
\nlargest uprisings in the 1950s and 1960s -- attempted to form an
\nIslamic state.<\/p>\n
The province of Aceh is also known for its history of
\nsecessionist movements.<\/p>\n
Remnants of such movements are said to remain to this day.<\/p>\n
In May, three youths were sentenced to between nine and 12
\nmonths in jail for their involvement in a movement to create the
\nIndonesian Islamic State (NII).<\/p>\n
Amien argued that groups who are determined to establishing an
\nIslamic state here are creating negative perceptions of Islam.<\/p>\n
\"By forcing their will on others to create an Islamic state
\nthey actually cultivate an image of Islam as being an intolerant
\nand hostile religion.\"<\/p>\n
But Amien argued that this should not be interpreted in such a
\nway that Islam is sidelined from the political life of the
\nnation, as advocated by secularists.<\/p>\n
He argued that Islamic tenets should still be considered in
\nthe political deliberation of the country, especially since a
\nmajority of the population are Moslems.<\/p>\n
Amien was speaking during the launch of a book, Tidak Ada
\nNegara Islam. Surat-surat Politik Nurcholish Madjid-Mohamad Roem
\n(There Is No Islamic State: The Political Letters of Nucholish
\nMadjid and Mohamad Roem), published by Djambatan. (mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/amien-against-creating-islamic-state-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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