Axis chiefs skip Muslim gathering<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Tens of thousands of supporters of Muslim-based
\npolitical parties attended an \"axis force\" gathering at Senayan
\nSports Stadium in Central Jakarta on Sunday to call for Muslim
\nunity.<\/p>\n
Despite the enthusiasm of those in attendance, reported at
\nover 50,000, the event was slightly tarnished by the absence of
\nsuch high-profile axis force figures as People's Consultative
\nAssembly Speaker Amien Rais, United Development Party (PPP)
\nchairman Hamzah Haz and Crescent and Star Party (PBB) chief
\nYusril Ihzra Mahendra.<\/p>\n
Taking his lead from media reports on Sunday morning that
\nquoted President Abdurrahman Wahid as claiming a grand plan to
\noverthrow him, organizing committee chairman Habib Umar Al-Hamir
\nopened the gathering by stressing that the event was \"not
\nintended to topple anyone\".<\/p>\n
He said the event was being held to unite Muslims in the
\npolitical process of guiding democratization.<\/p>\n
\"We have to safeguard and straighten the direction of reform.
\nReform should be straightened by religion,\" he told the crowd.<\/p>\n
A large banner unfurled on the side of the stadium read: \"Axis
\nForce -- Forward for a United Islam\". But the absence of top axis
\nforce politicians served to dampen the significance of the event.<\/p>\n
The axis force is a loose alliance of Muslim-based political
\nparty and the National Mandate Party (PAN).<\/p>\n
It proved to be a pivotal coalition during the Special Session
\nof the People's Consultative Assembly in October last year,
\nhelping to catapult PAN chief Amien Rais into the Assembly
\nspeakership and helping Abdurrahman defeat early favorite
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri for the presidency.<\/p>\n
There was no immediate word on why a number of the leading
\naxis force politicians did not attend the gathering.<\/p>\n
The only notable political party leader to attended the four-
\nhour event was Nurmahmudi Ismail of the Justice Party (PK).<\/p>\n
Addressing the crowd, Nurmahmdi, who is also minister of
\nforestry and plantations, expressed hope the country would
\ndevelop a democratic culture with a clean and dignified
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
He added that Muslims now faced challenges in enhancing their
\nunity, but stressed that they must not relent in their efforts to
\ncorrect any mistakes in the reform agenda.<\/p>\n
\"Let's participate in the reform agenda which was fought for
\nby students, ulema and the Indonesian people, to create a clean
\nand democratic government,\" he said as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
Other speakers at the event included Muslim figure Zainuddin
\nM.Z., who told the crowd they had the obligation to support the
\ngovernment which was chosen by the people and to safeguard the
\nnation's integrity.<\/p>\n
\"We, as Muslims, each of us has to be a medium to uphold
\nnational integrity,\" said Zainuddin, who was earlier known for
\nhis association with the Golkar Party. (emf)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/axis-chiefs-skip-muslim-gathering-1447893297",
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