Moslems told to prevent unrest<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Council of Ulemas called on
\nIndonesian Moslems as the majority population to help establish
\npeace and national unity, and prevent social unrest.<\/p>\n
In a statement issued at the conclusion of its three-day
\nannual meeting Saturday, the council called on everybody to learn
\nfrom the recent incidents of unrest across the country, and to
\nexercise self-restraint.<\/p>\n
"Please increase your awareness of those seeking to create
\nhavoc and bring disintegration," the council said in the
\nstatement delivered by chairman Hasan Basri.<\/p>\n
The ulemas said that Moslems must strengthen internal unity if
\nthey are to help maintain national unity.<\/p>\n
"Moslems need to understand one another, tolerate, care, and
\nhelp each other," the statement said.<\/p>\n
Over recent months Indonesia has been rocked by ethnic and
\nreligiously motivated violence that has led to scores of deaths
\nand serious damages. In West Kalimantan, for example, the
\nprovince witnessed more than two months of ethnic clashes that
\nkilled at least 300 people.<\/p>\n
A number of deaths, scores of shops and businesses as well as
\nplaces of worship have been burned or vandalized in several
\ncities on Java and in the province of East Timor since October.<\/p>\n
The ulemas conceded that social and economic gaps may have
\nfueled the unrest, but that the discrepancies "should be seen
\nproportionately while working to overcome them."<\/p>\n
"We realize this is not easy and needs an integrated approach,
\ncooperation, patience and commitment from both the government and
\ncommunity," Hasan Basri said. "This is why Islamic organizations
\nshould...help empower people's economic."<\/p>\n
In another part of its statement, the council underlined the
\nimportance of a harmonious relation between Moslems and the
\ngovernment, including the Armed Forces (ABRI), as a component of
\nnational stability.<\/p>\n
"This is why the current relations should be improved even
\nfurther," Hasan said, adding that the ulemas are ready to help
\nand be involved in the Alert Command Posts, recently set up
\nacross the country to detect and nip unrest in the bud.<\/p>\n
The statement touched on other causes of concern for the
\nulemas, including the negative impacts of globalization, poor
\nethical behavior, violence and the abuse of power.<\/p>\n
"We call on the public to shield themselves from these
\nnegative impacts and demand that the government enforce the law,"
\nHasan said.<\/p>\n
The council also expressed support for the Indonesian Foster
\nParents Movement and said that it would help collect zakat
\n(obligatory alms giving) as well as shodaqoh and infaq (voluntary
\nalms) for the drive.<\/p>\n
In one of Saturday's sessions, the ulemas met with the
\nmovement's chairwoman, Halimah Bambang Trihatmodjo. The drive was
\nestablished last year to help poor, handicapped, and isolated
\nchildren complete their educations.<\/p>\n
The program, set up to assist the government's 1994 compulsory
\nnine-year education program, receives donation from groups and
\nreligious organizations as well as individuals who become foster
\nparents by sponsoring a child's education.<\/p>\n
Almost 200,000 children have been able to stay in school
\nthanks to the drive. According to the Ministry of Social
\nServices, almost 6 million children between seven and 15 years
\nold are currently unable to go to school.<\/p>\n
"The movement tries to help all children from poor families,
\nregardless of their intelligence," she said.<\/p>\n
Last year the council announced its plan to use zakat to help
\npoor and bright children finish their educations.<\/p>\n
"It's the responsibility of us all to help children pursue
\ntheir educations. It's stipulated in the Holy Koran," Hasan said.
\n(12)<\/p>",
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