On amending the Constitution<\/p>\n
The most crucial point in the proposed amendments to the 1945
\nConstitution is Article 29, particularly Subarticle 1. According
\nto The Jakarta Post, Aug. 7, 2000, there are three choices for
\nthis subarticle: (1) The State shall be based on One, Supreme God
\n(no change), (2) The State shall be based on One, Supreme God,
\nwith adherence to Islamic laws obligatory for Muslims, (3) The
\nState shall be based on One, Supreme God, with followers
\nobligated to adhere to their respective religion's teachings.<\/p>\n
The first choice is very clear. The second choice prioritizes
\nthe position of Islam, while the third choice does not prioritize
\nany religion without removing the content of the second choice,
\nwhich reminds one of the story about a Muslim leader asking Bung
\nKarno why Islamic laws were not enforced in Indonesia. In
\nresponse Bung Karno asked the Muslim leader to find 10 Muslim
\nleaders who had the same thoughts on the application of Islamic
\nteachings in state-related activities. If he could find these 10
\nMuslim leaders, Bung Karno would be the 11th. The Muslim leader
\ncould not find 10 Muslim leaders with the same principles.<\/p>\n
The Islamic teachings adhered to in Indonesia are not
\ncompatible with modern civilization. Islamic studies are still
\nbased on textbooks written by Muslim leaders\/teachers from the
\nMiddle Ages, which still adopt the formal legalistic approach.
\nThe knowledge imparted in these textbooks have little bearing
\nwith modern scientific works, particularly in economics, physics,
\nchemistry and mathematics, branches of knowledge and sciences
\nwhich later gave birth to the industrial revolution, with the
\ntechnological revolution following its wake. Within the
\ntraditional Islamic environment, such sciences are categorized as
\nworldly knowledge which will never take one to heaven.<\/p>\n
It is true that some of the followers of Muhammadiyah and
\nalumni of the Islamic Students Association (HMI) adhere to the
\nmodern school of Islamic teachings, but their supporters are not
\nnumerous. Besides Muhammadiyah has suspended the reform of
\nIslamic teachings, while HMI activists are more interested in
\npolitical matters or trying, along with students active in campus
\nmosques, to be pious by literally understanding the holy verses
\nwithout making any effort at a more profound search for their
\nsignificance. They tend to be exclusive and seek uniformity in
\ndress and thought.<\/p>\n
If it is the second or the third choice that is picked, it is
\nvery likely that there will no longer be any outstanding Muslim
\nsportswomen of the caliber of Yayuk Basuki (tennis player),
\nElfira Nasution (swimmer) or Verawati (shuttler). Sports clothes
\nare considered as failing to properly cover one's body and are
\ntherefore forbidden. All discotheques must be closed down or set
\non fire by the holy war troops as they are thought to spread
\nimmorality. Indonesian women are fit only to become migrant
\nworkers in Arabic countries. Although the jobs entail high risks,
\nthese migrant women workers can go on haj pilgrimages.<\/p>\n
At this juncture, we need not be upset by the criticism that
\nformer Singapore prime minister Lee Kuan Yew lodged to the effect
\nthat some day Indonesia will be left behind by Vietnam and
\nCambodia in all respects. In the same way, it is understandable
\nwhy Mahathir Mohammad has been steadfastly opposing the Islamic
\nparty PAS and has wiped out the al-Ma'unah sect.<\/p>\n
M. IKHSAN<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/on-amending-the-constitution-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }