PITI urges an end to societal segregation<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Indonesians must overcome the imposed
\ncolonial legacy of social divisions if the relationship between
\nethnic Chinese and non-Chinese is to prosper, the caretaker
\nchairman of the Association of Indonesian Chinese Muslims (PITI)
\nUsman Effendy said.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a seminar organized by the state-run Institute of
\nIslamic Religion (IAIN) Sunan Kalijaga, Usman pointed out that
\nthe embedded societal segregation of the ethnic Chinese is a
\nvestige of Dutch colonial times which has survived in the modern
\npsyche.<\/p>\n
He pointed out that during Dutch times those of Chinese
\ndescent were often given special tasks including collecting taxes
\nand fees.<\/p>\n
Dutch colonialists also classified them as second-class
\ncitizens while non-Chinese locals were considered third class, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
"The seeds of hostility have been planted and rooted so deep
\nthat we have been psychologically construed to always worry and
\nbe suspicious of each other," Usman said,<\/p>\n
"It's now our task as Indonesian Chinese Muslims to act as
\nmediators to mend the relationship as well as eliminate suspicion
\namong people," he said.<\/p>\n
He said if Indonesians can overcome this psychological
\nobstacle, it may also provide a new impetus to create harmony
\namong religious groups.<\/p>\n
Usman claimed that there are presently some half a million
\nethnic Chinese Muslims in the country, or about 5 percent of the
\ntotal population of Chinese Indonesians here.<\/p>\n
PITI was set up in Jakarta in 1963 and was a fusion of the
\nAssociation of Chinese Muslims (PMT) and the Association of
\nChinese Islam (PIT).(swa)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/piti-urges-an-end-to-societal-segregation-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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