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