ICMI not a sectarian group<\/p>\n
The influential Moslem intellectuals association has just
\nconcluded its congress. Political scientist Amir Santoso argues
\nthat the organization is not likely to take a sectarian stance.<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The line-up of the new leaders of Association of
\nIndonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI) was announced by Chairman
\nB.J. Habibie Saturday night.<\/p>\n
Strangely enough, I cannot seem to pinpoint any \"religious
\nextremists\" or any of the \"new Masjumi\" type of people in that
\nline-up, even though anti-ICMI elements have been predicting
\ntheir domination of the organization. The anti-ICMI circles claim
\nthat because of the group's membership makeup, it is a liability
\nrather than an asset to the integration of this vast nation's
\nnumerous societal groups.<\/p>\n
I think some clarification is needed to prevent this
\nmisconception from spreading further.<\/p>\n
There were two factors which led to the foundation of ICMI.
\nFirst, the existence of other religion-based intellectual
\norganizations such as the Catholic group, ISKA, and the PIKI
\nProtestant group. Moslem intellectuals had the feeling that there
\nwas a need for actualizing their intellectual capacities.<\/p>\n
ICMI is the first organization for Moslem intellectuals that
\ncraves to improve the quality of life of Indonesian Moslems.
\nFollowers of Islam make up most of Indonesia's population, but
\nthe majority of them are poor and less educated in comparison to
\nmost non-Moslems. This has led other groups to look down on
\nMoslems who are often associated with orthodoxy and backwardness.
\nUntil the early 1980s some Moslems were reluctant to acknowledge
\nthemselves as Moslems.<\/p>\n
In the first five years of its existence, ICMI launched
\nnumerous projects targeting Moslems in rural areas. There were
\nbook donations for Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) and
\nassistance in the form of appropriate technology for Moslem
\nfarmers. A Moslem bank, Bank Muamalat, and other financial
\norganizations were established to help farmers and small-scale
\ntraders to get loans. Moslem communities were acquainted with
\nIslamic-style insurance. Scholarship and foster parent programs
\nwere introduced. I myself started donating for a child's studies
\nin Riau, Sumatra.<\/p>\n
Second, the birth of ICMI could also serve as a medium for
\nMoslem intellectuals to channel their interests. Frankly
\nspeaking, some Moslem intellectuals felt that Moslems were often
\ndiscredited and discriminated against in both political and
\neconomic life up to the 1980s. The Moslems, including those in
\nthe bureaucracy and in the military, who were aware of the
\nsituation were naturally enthusiastic about the founding of ICMI.<\/p>\n
In order to improve their quality of life and to end
\ndiscrimination against them, Moslems must have ready political
\naccess to government figures and the bureaucracy. ICMI has been
\nsuccessful in this respect in the past five years. However, the
\nquestion remains as to whether, with its political access, ICMI
\nwill resort to revenge and discriminate against other groups. I
\ndo not think so and I hope not.<\/p>\n
What ICMI is undertaking now in the bureaucracy and in
\npolitics is, in my opinion, a struggle to strike a fair political
\nand economic balance for the Moslems. This gives rise to friction
\nwith other groups. I am convinced that this friction will cease
\nwhen a new balance has been struck and when Moslems have obtained
\nan adequate and just share of the political and economic cake.<\/p>\n
I do not see that the new ICMI leadership composition gives
\nreason for concern. All of them are moderate, tolerant, middle-
\nclass and well educated (especially in the West) Moslem
\nintellectuals.<\/p>\n
However, ICMI does need to guard against becoming a radical
\ngroup. Other groups can help ICMI avoid this trap by cooperating
\nand holding talks with ICMI and by avoiding being antagonistic
\ntoward it.<\/p>\n
Prosperous Moslems with good political positions offer a
\ngreater possibility of maintaining a politically stable Indonesia
\nthan Moslems who are poor and discriminated against because
\nMoslems form the majority of Indonesia's population and have a
\nhigh degree of tolerance when compared to the Islamic communities
\nin other countries.<\/p>\n
The writer is Director of the Center for Policy and
\nDevelopment Studies. He is also a member of ICMI's Board of
\nExperts.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/icmi-not-a-sectarian-group-1447893297",
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