A dialog with Darul Arqam

From Bisnis Indonesia

It is really ironic that the Indonesian Ulema Council has refused to hold a dialog with the controversial Darul Arqam group while there are newspapers which are set up by non-Moslems that are urging a meeting between the council and the group.

The refusal of council leader Hasan Basri -- not the refusal of the whole council -- to meet the group is very disappointing because it deprives Darul Arqam from defending itself.

Such an attitude is not in line with the teaching of Islam.

SYAHRAN H. LUBIS

Jakarta