Is conversion option for Chinese?<\/p>\n
By Junus Jahja<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The saying goes \"When in Rome do as the Romans
\ndo.\" So, ethnic Chinese in Thailand embrace Buddhism, in the
\nPhilippines Catholicism, in the United States, Canada and Europe
\nthey embrace Catholicism or Protestantism, and these countries
\nhave no \"Chinese problem\".<\/p>\n
According to Dr. Charles A. Coppel, in his book Indonesian
\nChinese in Crisis, there have been four efforts to solve the
\nChinese problem in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The first solution was through the \"building of a socialist
\ncommunity in Indonesia\" as proposed by the late Siauw Giok Tjhan.
\nThe second was through \"assimilation\", as suggested by K.
\nSindhunata. The third through \"basic human rights\", proposed by
\nthe late Yap Thiam Hien. The fourth, my solution, is \"conversion
\nto Islam\".<\/p>\n
Quoting Moslem leaders, Coppel says conversion to Islam is the
\nmost direct and fastest alternative for the following reasons:<\/p>\n
* the ethnic Chinese influence would help the government's
\nobjective of making Islamic organizations more moderate.<\/p>\n
* the Moslem community would benefit from the influx of
\nethnic Chinese resources, like capital and people with managerial
\nskill and university educations.<\/p>\n
* the ethnic Chinese would get much needed shelter.<\/p>\n
Hence, all parties could benefit if the ethnic Chinese
\nconverted to Islam.<\/p>\n
The question I ask is why the Chinese in Indonesia detach
\nthemselves from the faith embraced by 90 percent of Indonesians.<\/p>\n
Since World War II between 2 and 3 million Indonesians of
\nChinese descent have converted to Christianity, while only 25,000
\nhave become Moslem.<\/p>\n
A book on this subject, The 6th Overseas Chinese State by Sie
\nHok Tjwan, an Indonesian-born ethnic Chinese now residing in
\nHolland, offers a somewhat controversial answer.<\/p>\n
Firstly, although the Chinese immigrants of the days of
\nAdmiral Cheng Ho in the 15th century were Moslems, later Chinese
\narrivals had a Sam Kauw background and followed one of the three
\nbeliefs of Buddhism, Taoism or Confucianism. In the course of
\nfive centuries the Chinese Moslems of the days of Cheng Ho were
\ntotally absorbed by the majority.<\/p>\n
Secondly, conversion to Christianity started under colonial
\nrule. Christianity was the religion of the rulers, and besides,
\nthe colonial policy of segregation kept the Chinese and the
\nindigenous population apart. Catholic and Protestant missionary
\nwork at that time was, and still is, well organized. Even now,
\nthere are large funds available. Missionary schools and hospitals
\nhave managed to keep their standard high. This accounted for a
\nlarge percentage of Christian converts among the Chinese and also
\nIndonesians.<\/p>\n
Thirdly, discrimination by the Indonesian government against
\nthe ethnic Chinese fosters a feeling of insecurity. There have
\nbeen incidents in which those alienated from their Sam Kauw
\nbackground have returned to these teachings to find solace.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, the book states, one obstacle hampering
\nconversion is the practice of polygamy among certain Moslems and
\nthe ease with which divorces can be obtained. This threatens the
\nfamily values espoused by the ethnic Chinese. They fear the
\npossibility of their daughters being divorced or having to
\ntolerate the present of other wives in the family. Family life,
\nregarded as the cornerstone of a healthy community, must remain
\nintact according to Confusion belief.<\/p>\n
Even though converting to Islam for security reasons is
\npermissible according to the faith, Chinese in general feel that
\nconverting solely for the sake of protection is not
\nrecommendable.<\/p>\n
Another matter alienating the Chinese from Islam is the
\nidentification of Islam with fanaticism and cruelty. Incidents in
\nmany countries where harsh practices are linked to Islamic
\nfundamentalism only reinforce this view.<\/p>\n
The mass embrace of a new religion or a political party is
\nusually brought about by changing times.<\/p>\n
When the Indonesian state was recognized in the 1940s, huge
\nsupport poured in for the country. Another example was when Mao
\nZedong emerged as a victor in modern China. The whole country
\nsupported China's communist party. Circumstances of such
\nproportions have shown that people tend to follow the mighty and
\nthe powerful.<\/p>\n
Today Indonesians hold power in their own country and the
\nmajority of the population is Moslem. Therefore, it would be only
\nhuman if more ethnic Chinese in Indonesia converted to Islam. The
\nChinese Islamic movement in Indonesia has time on its side, just
\nas time was on the side of independent fighters during the
\ndecolonization period.<\/p>\n
In the early 1980s, the former minister of religious affairs
\nH. Alamsjah Ratu Perwiranegara said that assimilation efforts --
\nethnic Chinese assuming Indonesian names -- had not yielded
\nsatisfactory results.<\/p>\n
According to the former minister, he suggested to President
\nSoeharto that all walks of life be open to Chinese Indonesians
\ninstead of limiting their activities to the trade sector. The
\nPresident stated that speedy assimilation would occur if the
\nChinese were prepared to become Moslem.<\/p>\n
Commenting on obstacles to total assimilation, the then prime
\nminister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew said in his 1971's biography
\nthat they were \"not because of language and culture but more
\nbecause of religion\".<\/p>\n
The economic and political situation of Indonesia has improved
\nsignificantly and the ethnic Chinese are more aware that they
\nshould embrace Islam. Consequently, many ethnic Chinese youths
\nare converting. The Indonesian everyman is now wondering if
\ntycoon Liem Sioe Liong will convert too.<\/p>\n
The uncertainty that Moslems will accept them wholeheartedly
\nseriously handicaps the conversion of prominent Chinese to Islam.<\/p>\n
They will be faced with questions like: Why did you suddenly
\ncovert? What is your real objective? Is it only a move to save
\nyour skin?<\/p>\n
Public figure need sincere support and guidance before they
\nwill convert. The same goes to less prominent figures. But this
\nis possible to accomplish.<\/p>\n
Haj Junus Jahja is the secretary to the advisory board of Haj
\nKarim Oei Foundation.<\/p>\n
Window: The economic and political situation of Indonesia has
\nimproved significantly and the ethnic Chinese are more aware that
\nthey should embrace Islam.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/is-conversion-option-for-chinese-1447893297",
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