Islamic students association told to remain outspoken<\/p>\n
SURABAYA (JP): The Association of Islamic Students (HMI) must
\nmaintain its critical attitude toward those in power, an activist
\nsaid here yesterday.<\/p>\n
Chairman of East Java's HMI branch, Muhammad Nabil, said the
\norganization needed to stand up to the people in power who have a
\nmonopoly on how state ideology Pancasila should be translated
\ninto daily life. This monopoly harmed the democratization
\nprocess, Nabil said.<\/p>\n
He was speaking in advance of the 21st HMI congress which will
\nbe in Yogyakarta from Aug. 20 to Aug. 26.<\/p>\n
The main agenda of the congress is to discuss two strategic
\nproblems, namely the evolving role of student movements in
\nsociety, and \"one group's monopoly on the interpretation of
\nPancasila\".<\/p>\n
HMI has not pointed the finger at anyone in particular, but
\ncritics have often complained that the government does all the
\ninterpretation on Pancasila, treats it as the gospel truth, and
\nrejects other interpretations.<\/p>\n
\"The government's monopoly of interpretation (has led to) a
\nnarrowing... of people's freedom, and the power holders behave
\nas if they are the sole legitimate executors of values contained
\nin Pancasila,\" Nabil said.<\/p>\n
HMI is the oldest and biggest student organization here. It
\nwas established in Yogyakarta in 1947.<\/p>\n
At one stage of its history it was a strong sociopolitical
\nforce, and it helped topple the Old Order administration in the
\n1960s. Former HMI leaders are Lafran Pane, Mintaredja, Achmad
\nTirtosudiro and Deliar Noer.<\/p>\n
For the past several years, however, HMI has been frequently
\ncriticized for allegedly cozying up to the power holders, and for
\nbecoming less critical on sociopolitical issues.<\/p>\n
Nabil did not deny the organization was close to those in
\npower, but said he hoped HMI would continue to be an Islamic
\nsocial control organization.<\/p>\n
\"Islam upholds the principle of amar ma'ruf nahyi munkar
\n(persuading people to do good and preventing them from
\ninfringements). HMI needs to remain critical on all social
\nissues,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He dismissed speculations that the organization tended to
\ndefend former members who were now in strategic bureaucratic
\npositions.<\/p>\n
\"We exchange views with anyone, but HMI cannot be dictated to
\nby anyone, not even by former members who are now in the
\nadministration,\" he said.<\/p>\n
HMI has loosely allied itself with other social and youth
\norganizations noted for criticizing the government in an
\nalignment known as the \"Cipayung Group\". But the group is
\nrumored to have been fractured following HMI's decision not to
\njoin the rest of the group's declaration on the bloody riot in
\nJakarta on July 27 last year.<\/p>\n
\"In general, HMI remains committed to the group. But in some
\ncases, HMI has its own (line of thinking),\" he said.<\/p>\n
The congress will also elect a new chairman. Four names have
\nbeen cited as likely replacements for the current HMI chairman,
\nTaufik Hidayat.<\/p>\n
They are current deputy chairmen Anas Urbaningrum, Umar Husein
\nand Viva Yoga Maulad, and secretary-general Muzakir Ridha.
\n(nur\/swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/islamic-students-association-told-to-remain-outspoken-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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