Unrest 'engineered' to sow conflicts<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Recent conflicts with religious overtones in the
\ncountry may have been engineered to drive a wedge between Muslims
\nand minority groups, an observer said on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Alwi Shihab, a visiting professor at Harvard University's
\nDivinity School, raised alarm at what he believed was the
\ncampaign of "certain parties" to develop conflicts between the
\nMuslim majority and other groups in society.<\/p>\n
He called for open, frequent dialogs between religious
\nleaders, political leaders and the public in general.<\/p>\n
"This dialog is what we're missing," he told the media before
\naddressing a breaking-the-fast held by the Indonesian Working
\nForum in Gedung Juang of Menteng, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Shihab said Islam as well as other religions teach love, peace
\nand unity.<\/p>\n
"Our country has enjoyed peaceful co-existence among the
\nvarious religions for quite some time... suddenly this chaotic
\ncondition emerged," he said, referring to clashes in Ketapang,
\nWest Jakarta, and in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, last month.<\/p>\n
"Riots are easily sparked due to social ills such as the
\nprolonged crisis... People with empty stomachs easily panic...
\nthey become irrational and are easily provoked, especially over
\nsensitive issues like religion."<\/p>\n
The incidents, he said, were "shameful."<\/p>\n
"We've seen too much bloodshed. From the pattern (of the
\nunrest)... I believe that certain parties are behind this. I
\nwould not say who it is."<\/p>\n
But they were usually a group in society who felt threatened
\nand tried to slow down the process of reform because they wanted
\nto stay in power, he said.<\/p>\n
Shihab also warned people of the danger in using religious
\nsymbols for political interests, especially for the coming
\ngeneral election.<\/p>\n
"There's a tendency for political parties to use religious
\nsymbols to attract people's support... actually this is normal
\nbecause most of the people here still have poor knowledge of
\npolitics.<\/p>\n
"But this is very dangerous as those parties may later
\nmanipulate the existence of certain labels for their own
\ninterest," said Shihab, who is also a visiting professor of
\nIslamic studies and Christian-Moslem relations at Hartford
\nSeminary, also in the United States.<\/p>\n
He cited an example of possible manipulation.<\/p>\n
"For instance, the United Development Party (PPP) uses the
\nKaaba as their symbol. It certainly represents Islamic
\nattributes... but is the party true to the spirit of Islam?"<\/p>\n
"Because of the label, Muslim people would feel obligated to
\nvote for the party," he said, adding that there are no
\nrestrictions in using religious labels.<\/p>\n
But the next consequence is, "Once you use the label, you have
\nto be responsible for it. Are the people ready not to use
\nviolence, avoid fanaticism and run a peaceful campaign?" he said.<\/p>\n
Separately in Bali, a meeting among leaders of different
\nfaiths called for unity among the people, Antara reported
\nSaturday. (edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/unrest-engineered-to-sow-conflicts-1447893297",
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