Moslem figures' rift draws concern<\/p>\n
SEMARANG (JP): The heightening tension between controversial
\nscholar Abdurrahman Wahid and his fellow Moslem activists drew
\nconcern yesterday.<\/p>\n
Human rights campaigner Muladi and political observers Rafiq
\nAnwar and Priyatmoko suggested the warring parties settle their
\ndisputes amicably.<\/p>\n
Muladi, a member of the National Commission on Human Rights,
\nsaid he feared the conflict would create a new social problem
\nunless it was solved.<\/p>\n
\"Moslems in Indonesia should shed the image that they adore
\nviolence and enmity,\" Muladi told The Jakarta Post. \"They should
\nsafeguard the nation's unity.\"<\/p>\n
Gus Dur, as Abdurrahman is better known, has locked horns with
\nseveral activists of the politically well connected Association
\nof Indonesian Intellectuals (ICMI) and the Humanika Foundation
\nafter publicly alleging they were behind the Dec. 26 riots in the
\nWest Java town of Tasikmalaya.<\/p>\n
Gus Dur leads the 30-million-strong Nahdlatul Ulama,
\nIndonesia's largest Moslem organization.<\/p>\n
Humanika Foundation chief Bursah Zarnubi has threatened to sue
\nGus Dur for libel while ICMI Secretary-general Adi Sasono flatly
\nrejected the allegations.<\/p>\n
The Tasikmalaya riot saw the burning and looting of churches,
\nshops, factories and police posts. Four people died in the
\nviolence, according to official statistics.<\/p>\n
Muladi, also rector of Diponegoro University, said the enmity
\ninvolved Moslem leaders who controlled millions of people and it
\ncould create deep social conflict.<\/p>\n
\"The best they could do is to meet and discuss how to bury the
\nhatchet,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said he understood why the Humanika chairman was so
\noffended and had threatened Gus Dur with legal action. \"But I
\nsuggest action is taken only if peaceful efforts are fruitless,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Muladi doubted the material evidence Gus Dur claims he has
\nwould have legal validity, therefore he recommended an amicable
\nsolution.<\/p>\n
Rofiq Anwar of Diponegoro University shared Muladi's opinion,
\nsaying they should seek an out-of-court solution.<\/p>\n
\"Islam advises that Moslems should not be suspicious of each
\nother. They should solve their differences for their mutual good
\nand for the good of the public,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Rofiq, who chairs the Central Java branch of ICMI, said it was
\nunthinkable for Indonesian Moslems to become divided.<\/p>\n
In Surabaya, Priyatmoko of the Airlangga University said the
\ntension between the Moslem leaders demonstrated the lack of open
\ndialog between them.<\/p>\n
This, he theorized, had given rise to widespread rumors.<\/p>\n
\"People often blow issues out of proportion,\" said the teacher
\nin socio-political science, reported Antara.<\/p>\n
He argued Gus Dur should have explained his views on political
\nand religious issues to other Moslem leaders. (har\/pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/moslem-figures-rift-draws-concern-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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