Express your concern with an Idul Fitri card<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Activists from a number of religious and ethnic
\nbackgrounds have come up with an innovative way to express their
\nconcern over the recent riots. They have designed Idul Fitri
\ncards containing messages urging the public to bury the hatchet.<\/p>\n
They plan to send the cards to relatives, friends,
\norganizations, officials and acquaintances across Indonesia to
\nrenew the spirit of national unity.<\/p>\n
The plan was announced yesterday by Moslem activist Ulil
\nAbshar-Abdalla of Nahdlatul Ulama and Catholic priest Father
\nMudji Sutrisno.<\/p>\n
They represented 56 activists who included journalists,
\nreligious leaders, artists, singers, human rights workers and
\nplaywrights.<\/p>\n
Among the signatories are singer Iwan Fals, actress Jajang C.
\nNoer, model Paquita Widjaja, lawyer Nursyahbani Katjasungkana,
\nlabor activist Satrio Arismunandar, poet Nirwan Dewanto, painter
\nSemsar Siahaan and poet Tan Lioe Ie.<\/p>\n
Ulil said that in addition to the traditional Idul Fitri
\ngreeting the card would also convey their concerns over the
\nunrest.<\/p>\n
The message says that while the activists are aware of the
\nuneven distribution of the development cake, economic disparity
\nand social injustice should not have been used to justify
\nviolence.<\/p>\n
\"We believe that the unrest occurred partly because the House
\nof Representatives and the political parties have failed to
\nrealize the people's aspirations.<\/p>\n
\"We regret the riots that have generated anti-Chinese, anti-
\nChristian, anti-Islam sentiments and other kinds of shortsighted
\nsectarianism.<\/p>\n
\"All of them have made us overlook our struggle to uphold
\ndemocracy in Indonesia,\" the message said.<\/p>\n
Ulil said the cards would be sent to as many people as
\npossible.<\/p>\n
Tomorrow Moslems celebrate Idul Fitri, which marks the end of
\nthe 30-day fasting month. They usually send Idul Fitri cards to
\nrelatives and friends, asking each other for forgiveness.<\/p>\n
The religiously and ethnically motivated riots that erupted in
\nSitubondo, Tasikmalaya and Rengasdengklok in Java and Sanggau
\nLedo in West Kalimantan have claimed more than a dozen lives.<\/p>\n
Scores of churches, Buddhist temples, factories, shops,
\nvehicles and government buildings were reduced to ashes in the
\nunrest that targeted mainly Chinese and Christian properties.<\/p>\n
In West Kalimantan, the smoldering conflict has pitted native
\nDayaks and Madurese migrants. The most serious clash broke out on
\nDec. 30. At least four people were killed and 21 are still
\nmissing.<\/p>\n
Sporadic clashes are reportedly continuing in the West
\nKalimantan capital of Pontianak and several subdistricts in the
\nhinterland.<\/p>\n
Father Mudji Sutrisno said that during the Idul Fitri holiday,
\npeople should look back to the nation's dream: a pluralistic
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
\"The politicization of the riots has hampered our
\ndemocratization process. This is what we want to remind the
\npublic of,\" said the lecturer at the Driyarkara School of
\nPhilosophy.<\/p>\n
Ulil pointed out that all the riots were fueled by a lack of
\nproper channels for the people to let off steam.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Christian Participation (Parkindo) has also
\nraised concern over the riots.<\/p>\n
\"The recent events make us realize how limited our
\nunderstanding is of the Pancasila state ideology and 1945
\nConstitution although we have spent enormous amounts of money on
\nPancasila courses,\" Parkindo chairman Sabam Sirait said.<\/p>\n
Despite the concern in various quarters, Minister of Tourism,
\nPost and Telecommunication Joop Ave is optimistic the violence
\nwill not scare off tourists.<\/p>\n
\"The riots only have a local impact. They (foreign tourists)
\ndo not even know where Rengasdengklok is,\" Joop was quoted by
\nAntara as saying.<\/p>\n
But Joop refused to comment whether the tourist industry would
\nbe hit if another riot occurs. \"I suggest the press should not
\nspeculate on this,\" he said. (35)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/express-your-concern-with-an-idul-fitri-card-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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