Ulemas target social ills<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Around 350 leading ulemas from across the
\ncountry will begin a meeting here today to discuss strategies to
\nfight social ills, most notably sexual promiscuity and rampant
\nviolations of oaths of office by government officials.<\/p>\n
President Soeharto will open the fifth national congress of
\nthe Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) tonight at the State
\nPalace. Meetings will commence tomorrow and last through Tuesday.<\/p>\n
MUI chairman Hasan Basri told reporters yesterday that the
\nulemas will elect the council's new leadership for the 1995-2000
\nperiod.<\/p>\n
The council yesterday concluded a two-day meeting to prepare
\nthe materials for the congress.<\/p>\n
Accompanied by other leading members -- H.S. Prodjokoesoemo,
\nSudjono and Ali Yafie -- Hasan Basri said two subjects will most
\nlikely dominate the congress: the roles of ulemas in the economic
\ndevelopment of the ummat (Moslem community), and the formulation
\nof strategies to fight social ills.<\/p>\n
The congress is also expected to prepare working programs and
\nissue fatwa (religious edicts) to guide the Moslem community in
\nfacing those various problems.<\/p>\n
To be included in the discussion are the question of Islamic
\nethics in business activities, the increasing incidence of land
\ndisputes, the issues of officials violating their oaths, and
\nsexual promiscuity.<\/p>\n
"When government officials are sworn in, they have to take
\nthis beautiful sounding oath. But the question is, how do we help
\nthem keep that oath?" Hasan Basri said.<\/p>\n
"What also concerns us very deeply is the increasing incidence
\nof extramarital sex ... This phenomenon has led to growing sexual
\ndeviations," he said. "It's the cause of various social ills, and
\ndiseases such as AIDS."<\/p>\n
"The council is firm in opposing some parties' drive to
\nfamiliarize the public with the use of condoms (as a way to curb
\nthe spread of the deadly Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome),"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
"This drive is tantamount to legalizing prostitution," he
\nsaid. "It's like those people are saying 'go on, do anything, as
\nlong as you wear condoms.'"<\/p>\n
"For secular countries, such an approach may be appropriate,
\nbut not for Indonesia," he said. "Not only has Islam taught us
\nnot to commit adultery, it teaches us not to even come close to
\nit."<\/p>\n
The congress will also be attended by ulemas from Malaysia,
\nBrunei Darussalam and Singapore. Ali Muhammad Ali, the secretary-
\ngeneral of the Rabithah Alam Islamy, an international
\norganization of Moslem leaders, will also attend.<\/p>\n
The ulemas will address the question of the roles of MUI in
\nsociety, especially in relation with growing public expectations
\nof the 20-year-old organization.<\/p>\n
"The public is asking more of us, and we won't let them down,"
\nHasan Basri promised.<\/p>\n
During the congress, the ulemas will establish a seven-person
\nelectoral team, usually headed by the Minister of Religious
\nAffairs, to elect the council's leadership.<\/p>\n
"This election process will proceed very well," according to
\nHasan Basri, who is widely seen as having a great chance to be
\nre-elected for a third consecutive term.<\/p>\n
Vice President Try Sutrisno will close the congress on
\nTuesday.<\/p>\n
The new leadership is expected to immediately carry out the
\ncouncil's programs, including organizing a meeting of ulemas from
\nmember countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.<\/p>\n
According to Hasan Basri, the ulemas have also agreed to
\ncooperate with the National Committee for the 50th Anniversary of
\nIndonesia's Independence in organizing some programs.<\/p>\n
On August 18, a day after Independence Day, "all ulemas in
\n600,000 mosques throughout Indonesia will ask their congregation
\nto perform sujud syukur (prostration in gratitude)," Hasan said.<\/p>\n
"We need to thank Allah for this golden anniversary of our
\ncountry," he said. (swe)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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