Powell told to trust in RI's moderate Muslims<\/p>\n
Berni K. Moestafa and Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Prominent Muslim figures here told U.S. Secretary of State Colin
\nPowell that supporting Indonesia's majority of moderate Muslims
\nwas the best way to counter terrorism, instead of using military
\nmeans.<\/p>\n
Following a meeting on Friday between Powell and some of the
\ncountry's top Muslim figures, Nadhlatul Ulama (NU) chairman
\nHasyim Muzadi said Indonesia's vast moderate Muslim population
\nwas a bulwark against radicalism here.<\/p>\n
"It's OK to be cautious (of terrorism) but there is no need
\nfor too much concern," said Hasyim, who leads the country's
\nlargest Muslim organization.<\/p>\n
The 45-minute meeting took place at the residence of U.S.
\nAmbassador Ralph Boyce. Also attending the meeting were Syafii
\nMaarif of the country's second largest Muslim organization
\nMuhammadiyah, Muslim scholars Nurcholish Madjid and Azyumardi
\nAzra, and popular preacher Abdullah Gymnastiar.<\/p>\n
Hasyim said he had explained to Powell that radical groups
\nwere not only a minority, but also had little to do with Islam
\nitself despite their appearance.<\/p>\n
He attributed the rise of radicals more to social tensions
\nthat followed the 1998 economic and political crisis.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is home to the world's largest Muslim population,
\nmost of whom are of moderate leaning. Islamic radical groups,
\nhowever, have grabbed public attention with their noisy street
\nrallies, many of which have been directed against the U.S.<\/p>\n
Communal violence, often with a religious undertone, added an
\nimpetus to the rise of radicalism.<\/p>\n
Hasyim emphasized that these conflicts and the radical group
\ninvolved in them were a domestic phenomenon with little relation
\nto international terrorist networks the U.S. campaigned against.<\/p>\n
"Don't internationalize it. Unless the U.S. has evidence these
\ndomestic conflicts have become international and are threatening
\nit," he added.<\/p>\n
As to members of international terrorist groups operating in
\nIndonesia, he said, the better approach was by working with
\ninternational intelligence agencies rather Muslim organizations.<\/p>\n
Muslim scholar Nurcholish said Powell admitted the U.S. had
\ndifficulties identifying local radicals from international ones
\noperating in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
NU and Muhammadiyah are both known for their moderate stance,
\nand represent together some 70 million Muslims in a country of
\n210 million people.<\/p>\n
Hasyim said the U.S. should not simply wish Indonesia's
\nmoderate Muslims to grow but also do something to help them grow.<\/p>\n
"There are (people) who fund the radicals, but who is funding
\nthe moderates?" he said, referring to suspicion among some that
\ncertain elements within the military support radical groups like
\nthe Laskar Jihad and the Islam Defenders Front (FPI).<\/p>\n
If the U.S. wants to help, he said, it should focus more on
\nraising awareness, education and cultural-oriented programs.<\/p>\n
Providing the Indonesian Military with new arsenals and other
\nequipment, for instance, is ineffective in curbing the radicals
\nhere, according to him.<\/p>\n
"Those groups who some accuse of being radicals are actually
\nstill open to dialog," he said. "So don't commit violence against
\nthem, because if we do they will strengthen their resistance."<\/p>\n
Powell is touring several Southeast Asian countries to promote
\nthe U.S. war against terrorism.<\/p>\n
In his visit he promised Indonesia US$50 million in aid to
\nimprove its security force's capability in helping the U.S. war
\nagainst world terrorism.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is no stranger to terrorist acts, having witnessed a
\nstring of bomb explosions in Jakarta and in conflict-prone
\nregions. The police have so far had little success in bringing
\nthe perpetuators to justice, and few believe the blasts were
\nlinked to international terrorist groups.<\/p>\n
Singapore, however, branded Indonesia a hotbed of terrorism
\nand charged the latter of foot dragging in arresting individuals
\nthe island-state suspected of terrorism.<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri, during a visit to the United
\nStates, promised Washington support in the war against terrorism.
\nShe was the first president to visit Washington following last
\nyear's Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that prompted the U.S. campaign
\nagainst terror.<\/p>\n
But analysts said she must walk a fine line to avoid a
\nbacklash from Muslim radicals.<\/p>\n
Prior to Powell's visit, U.S. President George W. Bush called
\nup Megawati to express his gratitude for Indonesia's cooperation.<\/p>\n
"Pak Powell expressed a sincere understanding of our problems
\nand appreciation that Indonesia is the largest Muslim country yet
\nat the same time a diverse and democratic nation," said
\nNurcholish.<\/p>\n
He said Powell was told that Indonesia's flagging democracy
\nmeant the country faced a host of other immediate problems.<\/p>\n
"We insisted that this is a very difficult transition. We are
\nchallenged with a most difficult task, which is to uphold the
\nlaw," he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/powell-told-to-trust-in-ris-moderate-muslims-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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