New Moslem magazine to start next week<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A new current affairs magazine with an
\nimpressive line up of top notch Moslem intellectuals is set to
\nhit the streets next week.<\/p>\n
What's more, Ummat (Community), as the new magazine which will
\nbe published every two weeks is called, will not represent a
\nparticular Moslem organization in Indonesia, but will try to be
\nmore all encompassing.<\/p>\n
The line up of the editorial board, as well as its columnists,
\nattest to this pledge as they include figures associated with
\nMuhammadiyah, Nahdlatul Ulama and the Association of Indonesian
\nIslamic.<\/p>\n
\"We pledge to include all aspirations of Moslems, not just a
\ncertain sect,\" General Manager Abdillah Toha said yesterday.<\/p>\n
The need of a new Moslem-oriented media is urgent in an era
\nwhen many Moslems, and non-Moslems, are seriously studying the
\nreligion, he said.<\/p>\n
\"It is ironic that, in the midst of such a lively atmosphere
\nof people seriously studying and practicing Islam, there is a
\ngreat lack of media which represent the aspirations of an
\nincreasingly critical umat (community),\" Toha said.<\/p>\n
The deputy chief editor, M. Syafi'i Anwar, a former editor of
\nthe Panjimas Moslem news magazine, said the founders were
\nconvinced that Moslems now thirst for a more \"inclusive\" media.<\/p>\n
\"Our market survey, completed last year, also confirmed this,\"
\nsaid Anwar.<\/p>\n
Editors also pointed out a Moslem perspective is still in
\nneed, given more influence of the western press in the general
\nmedia.<\/p>\n
The launching of the magazine, which will sell at Rp 4,700
\n(US$2.09) per copy, starting June 24, introduced a trial issue
\nwith a red and white cover, with newsprint and a few colored
\npages.<\/p>\n
Special columns include coverage of the \"Moslem World\" and
\nreaders' letters to legislators.<\/p>\n
Toha said the editors do not represent their organizations.<\/p>\n
They include Amien Rais (Muhammadiyah chairman), Mustofa Bisri
\n(Nahdhatul Ulama) and researcher M. Dawam Rahardjo (ICMI).<\/p>\n
Muhammadiyah is considered to represent a more \"modernist\"
\nstance of Islam, compared to Nahdhatul Ulama, which is regarded
\nas \"traditionalist\".<\/p>\n
Toha said the magazine has no organizational links with the
\nRepublika daily newspaper, although a number of its personnel are
\nalso on the editorial board, such as Republika general manager
\nand chief editor, Parni Hadi, and columnist M. Quraish Syihab.<\/p>\n
Ummat is published by PT Mahkota Mediatara Utama, owned by
\nanother private company, PT Jarindo Perdana.<\/p>\n
With an initial investment of Rp 2 billion, it aims to sell
\n40,000 copies per issue.<\/p>\n
Ummat editors say they target middle income readers.<\/p>\n
Noted poet Taufiq Ismail, who is also one of the editors, said
\nhe was interested to join as he believed in the magazine's aim to
\npicture an \"optimistic\" face of Islam.<\/p>\n
Toha said that Ummat wants to shift the image of continuous
\nconflicts and suffering in Moslem communities, with a more upbeat
\nand peaceful picture of Islam.<\/p>\n
However, the chief editor of Ummat, Mustoffa Kamil Ridwan,
\nadmitted that from his experience as editor at Republika it is
\ndifficult to maintain a non-sectarian image. (anr)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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