Moslems to blame for no political clout<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Moslems are to blame for their perceived
\nmarginal roles in international and domestic political arenas,
\nexperts agreed yesterday.<\/p>\n
Ahmad Sumargono, Muhammad Al Khaththath, M. Fachry and Ismail
\nYusanto, all from organizations and centers for Islamic studies,
\nexpressed their concerns with the plight of Moslem communities
\naround the world and the impotence of Moslem states in dealing
\nwith the problems.<\/p>\n
Speaking in a panel discussion, the scholars also lashed out
\nat several Western countries and international organizations for
\ntheir foot-dragging attitudes in the face of many armed conflicts
\ninvolving Moslem communities.<\/p>\n
Ismail, who is also a staff lecturer at the Ibn Khaldun Moslem
\nUniversity in Bogor, West Java, pointed out that Non-Aligned
\nMovement (NAM) members, many of which are Moslem states, have
\ncalled for greater representation at the United Nations and the
\nrevision of the Security Council's veto power.<\/p>\n
The moves, if implemented, are expected to give greater say to
\nMoslem states in international matters, though Ismail doubts the
\nveto-power holders would allow such a drastic measure.<\/p>\n
Many Moslem states are also disillusioned when they turn to
\nthe other Moslem countries for help, he said.<\/p>\n
International bodies such as the Organization of Islamic
\nConference and the Rabithah Al Alam Al Islamy (Islamic World
\nLeague) have so far failed to respond properly to cases such as
\nthe prolonged wars in Palestine, Bosnia Herzegovina and Chechnya,
\nIsmail said.<\/p>\n
\"The oppression and occupation by Israel of Palestine have
\nbeen ignored by those who call themselves leaders of Moslem
\ncountries,\" Ismail said harshly. \"Where are the dignity and
\nMoslem brotherhood that they have been speaking about?\"<\/p>\n
Most of the speakers agreed that Moslems should first return
\nto their religious roots, and put their homes in order, before
\nredressing the backwardness of Moslem societies.<\/p>\n
\"The internal factor causing this backwardness is because many
\nMoslems don't implement the teachings and..are influenced by
\nsecularism,\" Ismail said.<\/p>\n
Al Khaththath said that Moslems should first pay closer
\nattention to developments in international politics if they want
\nto seize a greater role.<\/p>\n
\"Moslems, especially the politicians and intellectuals, should
\nexamine the political plans and maneuvers of great countries,\" he
\nsaid. \"This examination should be done continuously, because the
\narena does not have clear-cut lines.\"<\/p>\n
Only by constant watchfulness can Moslems follow and
\nunderstand what's happening in the world. They must propagate
\nreligious callings based on knowledge and political reality.<\/p>\n
He also called for more appropriate political education for
\nMoslems, one not necessarily based on Western concepts, and for a
\nbetter information network. He also suggested that Moslem
\ncommunities prepare their children to become good political
\nanalysts.<\/p>\n
Sumargono used the occasion yesterday to also criticize those
\nMoslems fighting among themselves over differing political views.
\nThis fact contributes to the Moslems' poor standing in
\ninternational politics, he said. (swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/moslems-to-blame-for-no-political-clout-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}