Apology from the 'kiai'<\/p>\n
From Republika<\/p>\n
It is said in our history that Sukarno was meritorious in the
\nfounding of the state of Indonesia. He began to be involved in a
\nstruggle for independence in his tender years as a university
\nstudent, and this struggle led him to being elected the first
\npresident of the Republic. All Indonesian people and even the
\nworld acknowledge his struggle and his great merit for the
\nunitary state of the Republic of Indonesia. Unfortunately, in his
\nripe old age, he was in misery. The New Order rulers ostracized
\nhim, even from his own children.<\/p>\n
Now, Soeharto, the most powerful person during the New Order
\nera, has a similar fate to Sukarno. One of his children is now on
\nthe police's list of wanted people.<\/p>\n
This is politics. And this is Indonesia. The circumstances can
\nchange within days, or within minutes. A well-known figure and
\nkiai (a venerated scholar\/teacher of Islam), also within a matter
\nof a few days, apologized to Bung Akbar and Mas Amien for his
\nfault, (Republika of Jan. 25 and Feb. 1). My neighbors in the
\nvillage began to harbor great hatred for these two latter-
\nmentioned figures after hearing the sermon of the kiai.
\nUnfortunately, not everybody in the Muslim community reads a
\nnewspaper and, consequently, not everybody has learned that the
\nkiai has admitted his fault and tendered his apology.<\/p>\n
A hadith (stories related to the words or deeds of Prophet
\nMuhammad) says that an ulema has five traits of character, four
\nof which are: eliminating vanity, fostering modesty, eliminating
\nhostility and fostering peace.<\/p>\n
It is really a good idea for politicians and kiai to ask for
\nGod's forgiveness.<\/p>\n
HARUN RIYADI<\/p>\n
Tangerang, Banten<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/apology-from-the-kiai-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }