Muslims' degradation due to power abuse<\/p>\n
From Media Indonesia<\/p>\n
It is hard to believe that certain Muslim leaders have been
\npoliticizing things in such a way that they are endangering
\nMuslims internally. Imagine that the recent plenary session of
\nthe House of Representatives (DPR), which resulted in the
\nissuance of a House memorandum, has been opposed by supporters of
\nPresident Abdurrahman \"Gus Dur\" Wahid, particularly in East Java
\nprovince, with all kinds of justification.<\/p>\n
The ulemas (Muslim religious teachers or leaders) who still
\nhave a conscience were surprised at the recent brutality of
\nsantris (strict adherents of Islam) in East Java. Some of them
\nbelieved that the santris had been plunged into anarchy. Even
\nUlil Absar Abdalla, a noted leader of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU),
\nadmitted that intelligent people had made fools of those santris.<\/p>\n
I do not think their conflicts in any way reflect the ideals
\nof Muslims playing their role in the state as well as the nation.
\nThey have been despising democracy as well as the good principles
\nof Islam by associating with other people of different opinions
\nand beliefs.<\/p>\n
I am writing to appeal to all Muslim leaders not to involve
\nMuslims in their politics, and in particular conflicts of
\ninterest. Those in power should never defend themselves by
\nturning the people against Muslims. This is very dangerous!<\/p>\n
If the conflicts continue to occur, whether or not Gus Dur
\nsteps down, Muslims will be deeply hurt and will suffer. Those
\nleaders of Islam should not worsen the existing horizontal
\nconflicts on the basis of religious sentiment, which has proven
\nto be very cruel and sharp.<\/p>\n
Do we, Muslims, wish to see ourselves as the laughing stock of
\nthe world?<\/p>\n
INDAWAN<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/muslims-degradation-due-to-power-abuse-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }