Multi-faith service sparks controversy, not harmony<\/p>\n
By Putu Wirata<\/p>\n
DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Last week's military-sponsored prayer
\ngathering of various religious followers has created more
\ncontroversy than harmony.<\/p>\n
Local Hindu and Moslem leaders say that mass prayer is not
\nallowed by their religions.<\/p>\n
The Hindus claim they were not aware that other religious
\nfollowers had been invited by the military to pray, believing
\nthey were there simply to watch the procession.<\/p>\n
Moslem ulemas were also outraged upon hearing of the Saturday
\nnight religious get-together at Pura Besakih, one of the main
\nHindu temples in Bali, which was also attended by Buddhists and
\nChristians.<\/p>\n
Held to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Wirasatya
\nmilitary resort in Karanasem, the event coincided with the
\nbeginning of Eka Bhuana, a Hindu ritual held once every 100 years
\nthat will peak this year on March 20.<\/p>\n
Governor Ida Bagus Oka, who is a Hindu, and Wirasatya military
\ncommand chief Col. Agus Wirahadikusumah, who is a Moslem, were
\namong the officials taking part in the ritual that brought
\ntogether about 2,500 people.<\/p>\n
Local officials said the mass prayer was meant to strengthen
\nthe peaceful co-existence among believers of different religions
\non the pre-dominantly Hindu tourist island.<\/p>\n
\"I am happy to see people from different religions come
\ntogether to praise God,\" Governor Oka said when addressing the
\ncrowd. \"Those who object to the idea must be narrow-minded.\"<\/p>\n
The local newspaper, Bali Pos, in its editorial praised the
\npray-together as \"progress\" in the efforts to improve religious
\nharmony.<\/p>\n
More than 90 percent of those taking part in the prayer were
\nHindus, the committee of the ceremony reported. Col. Agus
\nreportedly provided Rp 5 million (US$2,200) and 350 shirts to
\nHindu priests.<\/p>\n
Ketut Wiana, deputy secretary-general of the Hindu Dharma
\nCouncil, is among those who were not pleased with the event.<\/p>\n
\"As far as I know, non-Hindus were invited to see Hindus
\nperform their ritual. Our religion does not allow people from
\nother faiths to take part in our ritual,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Ketut said he was also invited by the military to attend but
\nfailed to show up because he was sick.<\/p>\n
The chairman of the Bali chapter of the Moslem Ulemas Council,
\nAdnan, refused to comment when The Jakarta Post contacted him at
\nhis resident. \"I have to go,\" he said.<\/p>\n
But Wasil Abu Ali, one of Adnan's deputies, said that even the
\nstate ideology Pancasila does not recommend that people from
\ndifferent religions should pray together.<\/p>\n
\"It was not progress as the newspaper (Bali Pos) calls it. It
\nwas a mistake that must be corrected,\" said Wasil, a senior
\nofficial of the Bali chapter of the Association of Indonesian
\nMoslem Intellectuals (ICMI).<\/p>\n
The columnist, who regularly writes on Islamic teachings in
\nthe Bali Pos, charged that Bali administration officials have
\nmistakenly tried to blend religions.<\/p>\n
In his opinion, religious harmony can be achieved without
\npeople from different religions having to say prayers together in
\none spot.<\/p>\n
\"A Moslem is not allowed to invite a Hindu to pray at a
\nmosque, but he may invite him to a halal bil halal (post-Idul
\nFitri gathering where people forgive each other),\" he said.<\/p>\n
No Christian leader was available for comment.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/multi-faith-service-sparks-controversy-not-harmony-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }