Clerics told to pacify followers<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro and Kurniawan Hari, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Muslim leaders were told on Sunday to calm their followers to
\nprevent possible clashes ahead of and during next month's
\npresidential election, after several leading clerics insisted
\nthat it is forbidden for Muslims to vote for a woman leader.<\/p>\n
Their comments were an elaboration of the edict issued by
\nclerics from East Java in support of the decision of the National
\nAwakening Party (PKB) to endorse the pairing of Gen. (ret)
\nWiranto and Solahuddin Wahid, an executive of the largest Muslim
\norganization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).<\/p>\n
Critics also blasted the edict as the misuse of religion in
\nthe political interests of rival presidential candidates.<\/p>\n
Azyumardi Azra, rector of the Syarif Hidayatullah State
\nIslamic University (UIN), said Muslim leaders should stay neutral
\nahead of the July 5 election and mediate between conflicting
\ncamps.<\/p>\n
"An exploitation of religious edicts will only propel people
\nat the grassroots level toward violence," Azyumardi told a press
\nconference along with NU scholar Ulil Absar Abdalla and Center
\nfor Electoral Reform (Cetro) director Smita Notosusanto.<\/p>\n
He was referring to the Muslim clerics who oppose and support
\nthe reelection bid of Megawati Soekarnoputri, the only woman
\ncontesting the country's first direct presidential election.<\/p>\n
Last Thursday, several influential NU clerics led by Abdullah
\nFaqih issued the edict in the East Java town of Pasuruan.<\/p>\n
They called on members of NU and other Muslims to vote for
\nGolkar Party' nominees Wiranto and Solahuddin Wahid. An edict in
\nIslam is not binding or mandatory for Muslims here to follow.<\/p>\n
Other NU clerics have expressed support for Megawati and
\nrunning mate Hasyim Muzadi, NU's executive chairman, in the
\nelection. Hasyim is officially nonactive as chairman at present
\nin view of his candidacy for vice president.<\/p>\n
On Saturday hundreds of Megawati's supporters in Surabaya,
\nEast Java, gave their thumb prints in blood, in show of support
\nfor the leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
\n(PDI-P).<\/p>\n
The activity continued in the city on Sunday, Antara reported.<\/p>\n
"We will defend Ibu Mega until death. We are also ready to
\nstand on the front line to face anyone trying to block her
\nreelection bid," organizer Wahyu Budhiarto said.<\/p>\n
Also in attendance at Sunday's press gathering were Kemala
\nCandrakirana of the National Commission on Violence against Women
\nand National Commission on Human Rights deputy chairperson
\nZoemrotin K. Susilo.<\/p>\n
Smita said the issuance of such an edict constituted "negative
\npolitical education" for voters because it did not respect
\nindividual choice. Zoemrotin said the move contravened human
\nrights as it discriminated against women in politics.<\/p>\n
Earlier on Friday, Azyumardi said the edict would damage the
\nreputation of NU as a leading moderate organization in the
\npredominantly Muslim nation.<\/p>\n
Campaigning in the Aceh capital of Banda Aceh on Saturday,
\nHasyim said the edict was only the personal opinion of those who
\nissued it and did not represent NU or its 40 million followers.<\/p>\n
The NU central board asserted its neutrality and urged its
\nmembers not to be influenced by the edict but to use their
\nconscience in voting for presidential candidates.<\/p>\n
"We ask NU members and supporters nationwide to hold special
\nprayers the night before the poll to listen to their own
\nconscience," acting NU chairman Masdar F. Mas'udi said during a
\ngathering in Cibubur, East Jakarta, over the weekend.<\/p>\n
Vice President Hamzah Haz, who is also running for the
\npresidency, said the edict should not become a political issue.<\/p>\n
Speaking in Cirebon, West Java, he argued that it was the duty
\nof the Muslim clerics to convey what they believe to be true
\nunder sharia law.<\/p>\n
It was the second time Megawati has faced such a hostile
\ncall from Islamists. Her party won the 1999 election but Muslim-
\nbased parties blocked her bid for the top post and instead
\nnominated Abdurrahman Wahid as president five years ago.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/clerics-told-to-pacify-followers-1447893297",
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