Use conscience and logic<\/p>\n
From Media Indonesia<\/p>\n
A man claiming to be a religious leader issued a statement on
\nApril 17, 2001, broadcasted by several media, that would make
\nmost people's hair stand on end.<\/p>\n
In the statement, he called for a joint force from all
\nnational elements to topple the government of President
\nAbdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid. To make his dream come true he has
\nmobilized some 150,000 militiamen who believe that to die in an
\neffort to oust a despotic president is to die a death of
\nmartyrdom.<\/p>\n
Only a couple of days ago, similar calls were also heard and
\nvoiced by a leader of Gus Dur's group: To die in defense of a
\nlegitimate government against bughot (rebellion) would amount to
\ndie as a martyr. As the leading figure of this group prepares his
\nforces, the other braces for an even larger number of supporters.
\nThose statements -- tragic, perplexing, saddening and even
\nembarrassing -- were aired by Indonesians, who embrace the same
\nreligion and are generally knowledgeable in religious matters.<\/p>\n
It is hard to imagine what would happen were the two
\nconflicting groups to clash. What would the peaceful aspirations
\nof Indonesia and the Islamic slogan rahmatan lil'alami (benefit
\nfor the world) become of?<\/p>\n
It would be much better if our leaders could contain their
\nemotions and to take it on the chin. It is the general public who
\nwill eventually suffer because of political maneuvering by our
\nleaders. I beg them, therefore, to use their conscience and
\nlogic!<\/p>\n
SYAHRUL E. DASOPANG<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/use-conscience-and-logic-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }