Moslem leaders visit Permadi, express support<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Two of Indonesia's most influential Moslem
\nleaders visited detained soothsayer Permadi Satrio Wiwoho
\nyesterday in an unusual show of defense for the mystic facing
\nblasphemy charges.<\/p>\n
Yusuf Hasyim and A.M. Fatwa unexpectedly appeared at the
\nnational police headquarters at 4:10 p.m. to console the psychic,
\nwho is also facing government lawsuits for his political
\nprophesies.<\/p>\n
Permadi, who has been in detention since March 19, has been
\ncharged by the police for having insulted Islam when he allegedly
\ndescribed Prophet Muhammad as a \"dictator\" in a seminar last
\nyear.<\/p>\n
Hasyim, more popularly known as Pak Ud, is one of the few
\nMoslem leaders who swim against the current in the Permadi case.
\nHe maintains that there is nothing blasphemous about Permadi's
\nstatement.<\/p>\n
He said he has read the transcript of Permadi's remarks and
\nconcluded that they are in fact a \"compliment\" to Muhammad, not
\nan insult in the way many Moslems have interpreted.<\/p>\n
He met with Permadi to obtain an explanation of what Permadi
\nactually meant when he commented on the leadership qualities of
\nProphet Muhammad.<\/p>\n
Hasyim, who runs an Islamic boarding school with thousands of
\nstudents in the East Java town of Jombang, said his talk with
\nPermadi only confirmed the soothsayer's attempt to \"praise\" the
\nprophet in his own way.<\/p>\n
\"No single statement in the transcript indicates that Permadi
\ninsulted Prophet Muhammad,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He also agreed with Permadi that the statements in question
\nappeared during the question-and-answer session when the mystic
\nwas simply responding to a participant's question.<\/p>\n
Permadi's remarks in a closed seminar at Gajah Mada University
\nhave plunged him into hot water with various Moslem groups.<\/p>\n
Numerous Moslem groups under Golkar have taken to the streets
\nto condemn Permadi and are demanding that he be brought to court.<\/p>\n
Leaders of the ruling Golkar party have also threatened to
\nfile a law suit against him for allegedly likening the political
\norganization with the outlawed Indonesian Communist Party (PKI)
\non a separate occasion.<\/p>\n
Permadi is also in trouble for his remarks which suggested
\nthat the Ministry of Religious Affairs has embezzled enormous
\namounts money from would-be haj pilgrims.<\/p>\n
Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher will also file a
\nlawsuit against Permadi for his accusation.<\/p>\n
Hasyim said that he asked Permadi to \"remain patient\" and
\nsteadfast and that he would give him the books on Islam that the
\nmystic requested.<\/p>\n
He also called on Moslems to remain calm and uphold the
\nprinciple of presumption of innocence in the Permadi affair.(imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/moslem-leaders-visit-permadi-express-support-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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