Islam should not be used for political interest: PKB<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Muslim-based National Awakening Party (PKB)
\nhas condemned the politicization of Islam, which it said
\ncontributed to fomenting the current ethnic and sectarian strife
\nin the country.<\/p>\n
PKB's secretary-general Muhaimin Iskandar said the
\npoliticization of Islam and its symbols detracted from the
\nreligion itself and undermined the value of its fundamental
\nteachings.<\/p>\n
\"Islam should no longer be exploited for temporary and
\npolitical interest because it has supernatural and spiritual
\nvalues bearing no relation to politics,\" he said after the
\nclosing ceremony of a two-day party meeting on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\"Islamic teachings should no longer be used as tools to
\njustify political action.\"<\/p>\n
He said the politicization of Islam and the use of divisive
\nsymbols were serious threats to national unity because Indonesia
\nwas composed of various religious and ethnic groups.<\/p>\n
\"Ethnic and religious issues that have been aired by certain
\nMuslim groups to advance their own political interests
\ncontributed to recent bloodshed in Maluku, North Maluku and West
\nNusa Tenggara.\" He did not identify the groups.<\/p>\n
He said PKB regretted the recent call for a jihad against the
\nChristian community in Maluku and North Maluku. He claimed the
\ncalls contributed to inciting attacks against Christians in
\nMataram, the main town on Lombok island.<\/p>\n
\"PKB respects pluralism and all religions because being
\ndifferent is beautiful, and these different religions can play a
\nrole in strengthening national unity,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Asked to comment on the rise of Islamic and other religion-
\nbased parties, Muhaimin said the emergence of \"exclusivist\"
\nparties was a setback in the development of democracy in the
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
\"Exclusivist parties will not win support from the people, as
\nwas shown in the June 7 general election, because the people's
\npolitical awareness has improved,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Despite the fact the party was established by Muslim figures
\nfrom Nahdlatul Ulama who included President Abdurrahman Wahid,
\nMuhaimin said the party would remain faithful to its nationalist
\nunderpinnings.<\/p>\n
\"In the next congress, scheduled for July, PKB is expected to
\nrecruit its cadres and leaders from all groups and religions to
\nshow its identity as a nationalist party and its commitment to
\nfighting for everyone's interest,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Muhaimin also said PKB urged the government to pay serious
\nattention to law enforcement to maintain national stability.<\/p>\n
\"Legal certainty is much needed to create a feeling of safety
\namong the people,\" he said. (rms)<\/p>",
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