Habibie concerned by recent violence<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie urged ulemas and
\nreligious leaders to instill and uphold moral values among their
\ncongregations to avoid a further outbreak of religious tensions.<\/p>\n
Speaking to a group of Moslem leaders, Habibie expressed
\nconcern over people's tendency to be provoked in a wave of anger
\nand hatred against others.<\/p>\n
\"Any form of violence, looting or cold blooded cruelty is
\ndisgraceful and must be avoided,\" Habibie said during his opening
\naddress of the Al Jam'iyatul Washliyah congress at the State
\nPalace on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\"Therefore, I appeal to ulemas, Islamic teachers and preachers
\nto urge people return to the principle morals taught by their
\nreligions,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Habibie also lamented that many had misjudged the freedoms
\nbrought on by the reforms as a freedom to denounce and enforce
\ntheir will upon others.<\/p>\n
A string of riots with strong religious undertones have rocked
\nthe country in the last two weeks.<\/p>\n
At least 14 people died and 22 churches and five Protestant
\nand Catholic schools were burned or vandalized by rioters in
\nKetapang, West Jakarta, on Nov. 22, following an altercation at a
\nlocal \"amusement\" center.<\/p>\n
Another riot erupted in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, when
\nthousands of people marched to protest the Ketapang violence. As
\nof Sunday Kupang was still tense.<\/p>\n
Habibie stressed the significance of moral values taught in
\nreligious teachings to avoid such outbreaks.<\/p>\n
\"If our morals deteriorate, our patience then disappears and
\nthe law is ignored. The pivotal strength of our lives will be
\ntotally destroyed,\" the President said.<\/p>\n
Habibie's words came on the heels of another outbreak, this
\ntime in Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi.<\/p>\n
On Friday, a mob of some 300 set the newly renovated St.
\nTheresia church on fire. (prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/habibie-concerned-by-recent-violence-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}