Religious leaders decry violence<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Religious leaders of different faiths in the
\ncountry joined hands yesterday in deploring the widespread
\nviolence of recent days, imploring all parties to show restraint.<\/p>\n
\"We are calling on everybody to abstain from violence, and
\ndeliberate in order to reach consensus. But we are also calling
\nfor improved (social) justice so that no one would have any
\nreason to resort to violence,\" according to a statement issued by
\nthe Indonesia Bishops Conference and signed by chairman Mgr.
\nJosep Suwatan who is currently in Rome for a conference of Asian
\nbishops.<\/p>\n
\"We are supporting the efforts of a group of intellectuals
\nfrom different faiths and professions to seek economic and
\npolitical reform,\" the statement said. \"Let us forget differences
\nand seek common ground to pursue a better future for the nation.
\nThe executive needs to act wisely.\"<\/p>\n
A similar call for restraint has been voiced by the Indonesian
\nCouncil of Ulemas, delivered by deputy chairman Ali Yafie, and
\nthe Council of Buddhism Theravada Indonesia, signed by Herman S.
\nEndro.<\/p>\n
They referred to the shooting deaths of four students Tuesday
\nat the Trisakti University, which sparked widespread rioting here
\nover the past two days.<\/p>\n
\"The casualties that fell did not help efforts to achieve
\nnational reconciliation,\" Suwatan said. \"Using firearms or
\nviolence and cause death does not only violate the laws and
\nprocedures, but also betrays the faith toward God, who is the
\nowner of lives, and is a moral offense.\"<\/p>\n
\"Let us pray for the safety of the nation... (and hope) that
\nthe sacrifice (of the students) may open our hearts and encourage
\nus to unite in... ending this unrest and suffering,\" Suwatan
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The call coincided with that of Minister of Religious Affairs
\nQuraish Shihab, who was quoted by Antara as saying that religious
\nleaders should guide their congregations away from vandalism.<\/p>\n
\"Religious leaders should calm their people, especially
\nMoslems on Friday (prayers) and Christians on these Saturday and
\nSunday (devotions),\" he said.<\/p>\n
The news agency also reported that the executive board of the
\nJakarta branch of the Indonesian Council of Mosques had issued a
\ncall to Moslems to exercise restraint.<\/p>\n
The organization also urged the ulemas to hold shalat ghaib
\n(the prayers for the dead) after Friday prayers today at noon.
\nThey also urged Moslems to say qunut nazilah, a prayer that Allah
\nhelp them in especially trying times, after every of the five
\nmandatory daily prayers.<\/p>\n
Endro called on all members of the community to always pray
\nthat the nation be delivered from danger, and that it remain
\nunited in struggling to achieve its common goal.<\/p>\n
\"We are calling on all Bhikkhu, Anagarini and Pandita to
\nperform the patidana ceremony in their devotions and pray that
\nthose who died, might find a better place in their new world,\"
\nEndro said in the statement. (rlt\/swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/religious-leaders-decry-violence-1447893297",
"image": ""
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