100 more years of moral development

100 more years of moral development

From some quarters of our society, including the Indonesian
Ulema Council (MUI), we understand that the much discussed joint
ministerial decree (SKB No.01/BER-MDN-MAG/1969) is very much an
impediment to the building of mosques as it is to churches.
Especially in the eastern provinces of Indonesia as far as the
MUI is concerned. So one would expect that about 95 percent of
the population would be happy to see this SKB be trashed.

No, on the contrary, the MUI believes this SKB is "ideal" and
thinks that by "removing it, this will result in anarchy".
So, while the MUI provides Muslims with spiritual guidance and
guards our public morals down to our daily nutrition, it neglects
the right of its followers to build houses of worship all
throughout this country.

Why is the MUI doing this? It is simply puzzling. And for how
long will they have to put up with such a situation? Well, that
depends on our tolerance as a people. Allow me to hint by quoting
the head of the office of Religious Affairs of West Java (as
required by the SKB) if the community does not grant them their
permission (to build a house of worship), the permit will not be
issued "not even in a hundred years".

ASHER TAURAN, Jakarta