Moslems need greater political roles<\/p>\n
CILOTO, West Java (JP): A senior political scientist has
\nlashed out at Moslem organizations and the Indonesian government
\nfor preventing Indonesian Moslems from playing more than a merely
\nmarginal role in politics -- internationally and also at home.<\/p>\n
Despite perceived improvements in relations between Moslem
\nsocieties and the economically powerful countries, Dr. Deliar
\nNoer believes that Moslems will continue to be marginalized on
\nboth the international and domestic political scenes.<\/p>\n
Speaking about the political prospects of Indonesian Moslems
\nto about 70 Islamic muballigh (propagators) yesterday, Deliar
\nharshly criticized the numerous organizations which he said had
\nfailed to represent Moslems' interests.<\/p>\n
\"We cannot talk about Moslem people in this country within a
\npolitical context,\" said the American-educated scholar who leads
\na think tank of the Group of Fifty, a group critical of the
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
\"The reason is simple: there's no political party,
\norganization or institution which attempts to unite Moslems.\"<\/p>\n
He cited some existing institutions which fail to represent
\nMoslems' real interests, including the government-sponsored
\nIndonesian Council of Ulemas, the Council for the Propagation of
\nIslam, and social education organizations like Muhammadiyah and
\nthe Nahdlatul Ulama.<\/p>\n
Deliar blamed, variously, Moslem leaders' own shortcomings,
\nsocial and political systems which create power imbalances, as
\nwell as Indonesian foreign policy.<\/p>\n
He said there are ulemas who are loyal to Islamic teachings,
\nand there are also those who are oriented to the authorities,
\nwith their frequent coming and goings, he said.<\/p>\n
The 70-year academic said the current style of administration
\nhas not helped build the society's independence.<\/p>\n
\"The dependence on the government is supported by the reality
\nthat people have to ask permission before they can assemble, or
\njoin an organization. There is also a lack of press freedom,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Deliar also said Indonesian foreign policy has not allowed
\nlocal Moslems to contribute to other societies of the same creed.<\/p>\n
\"Look at the cases of Bosnia Herzegovina, Palestine, Chechnya,
\nSudan and Algeria,\" he said, referring to some predominantly
\nMoslem nations currently embroiled in armed conflicts. \"Regarding
\nthose countries, does Indonesia still apply its 'free and active'
\nforeign policies which are oriented toward independence?\"<\/p>\n
He said the country could be more \"pragmatically inclined\" in
\nimplementing its foreign policies, especially when it comes to
\nrelations with donor countries such as the United States.<\/p>\n
\"We haven't contributed much to the revival of the world's
\nMoslems...our role in (various Moslem causes) such as the
\nOrganization of Islamic Conference, have continued to be
\nlimited,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"We no longer stand in the forefront.\"<\/p>\n
Efforts to redress this state of affairs should begin with
\nMoslems themselves, he said. \"They should remember their
\nresponsibility, abide by their moral values and the good conduct
\nwhich the Prophet Muhammad taught,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Next, Moslems should strive to improve condition in society.
\n\"The ummah (Moslem community) should seek alternative concepts in
\nan effort to establish...independent social political
\nforces...(and) foreign policies which are more loyal to ideals,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Deliar twice lost his teaching and administrative posts in two
\nhigher-education institutions in the late 1960s and early 1970s
\nafter delivering critical speeches. (swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/moslems-need-greater-political-roles-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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