Role of religious leaders<\/p>\n
A seminar on development and human rights in Irian Jaya this
\nweek heard a message from a native theologist that could be the
\n11th Commandment: \"Thou shalt not overlook religious leaders.\"
\nThe academic, who works at a school of theology in Jayapura, the
\nprovincial capital of Indonesia's easternmost province,
\ncriticized the authorities for neglecting to give religious
\nleaders in the predominantly Christian region a greater role in
\nthe government's effort to modernize the area.<\/p>\n
Benny Giay, the academic, said that local religious leaders
\nhave started to act as middlemen in difficult and sensitive
\nsituations, such as the current kidnapping of innocent people by
\narmed separatist rebels, but until recently the authorities had
\nnever bothered to treat them as community leaders.<\/p>\n
His criticism should be food for thought for the local
\nadministration especially when taking into consideration the fact
\nthat in several trouble spots the authorities -- especially the
\nmilitary commanders -- have gained valuable experience from their
\ncooperation with local religious leaders.<\/p>\n
It started three decades ago in West Java when the local
\nmilitary was confronted by rebellion by radical Moslems. The
\nfollowing years witnessed similar events in Aceh, which has
\nendured repeated separatist violence.<\/p>\n
The administration of the predominantly Moslem province in
\nnorthern Sumatra has started to promote community harmony by
\nholding regular meetings with ulemas in which the governor has
\nheart-to-heart talks with Moslem scholars and religious teachers
\nin all the regencies. In the meetings the governor briefs the
\nulemas about government development programs and the religious
\nleaders voice their ideas and submit their proposals.<\/p>\n
Such an approach would be beneficial for both the
\nadministration and the people of Irian Jaya because, as in Aceh
\nand other parts of the country, religious leaders play
\nsignificant roles in the society. They are genuine unofficial
\nleaders, whose influence is in most cases pivotal.<\/p>\n
In Irian their role is inseparable from their historical
\nbackground. During the Dutch colonial era, which started in the
\nregion at the end of the last century and formally ended in 1963,
\nthe people in the central highlands, who still live in the stone
\nage, only had contact with the outside world through
\nmissionaries. There was not a single government post in the
\ninterior.<\/p>\n
To make their presence felt -- and this is applicable in all
\nparts of Indonesia -- religious leaders need to increase their
\nsocial sensitivity and extend their sphere of influence beyond
\nplaces of worship.<\/p>\n
For example, globalization has been threatening to uproot our
\ntraditional and religious values. Leaders of all religions should
\nwork together and flex their moral muscles to combat the negative
\nimpacts of modernization and warn the government of the negative
\naspects of TV programs, imported films and the advance of the
\nInternet.<\/p>\n
Such activity would not only help them get their message
\nacross but also ensure they win more respect from the
\nauthorities.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/role-of-religious-leaders-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}