Action, not flattery needed

In a joint press conference with his host, President Megawati Soekarnoputri, on Wednesday, U.S. President George W. Bush sent a strong message to Indonesian Muslims, the majority of the country's population, that he deeply respects Islam, which he described as a religion that is fully compatible with democracy, tolerance and progress.

Bush also reiterated that the all-out American war against global terrorists -- who, unfortunately, are mostly members of Islamic-oriented groups -- is not a war against Islam.

"Terrorists who claim Islam as their inspiration defile one of the world's great faiths. Murder has no place in any religious tradition -- and must find no home in Indonesia," Bush said during the media briefing at the Patra Bali Hotel.

As a token of appreciation for Megawati's resolute measures against the terrorists here, Reuters reported that Bush said he would propose a six-year project to Congress worth US$175 million to support basic education in Indonesia as part of the effort to develop an education system that discouraged extremism.

Nahdlatul Ulama chairman Hasyim Muzadi, however, directly expressed to the American president his opposition to the project, which is clearly aimed at pesantren (Islamic boarding schools), often cited as one of the prime breeding grounds for terrorists.

No less important than the bilateral summit itself, Bush also met with the leaders of Indonesia's major religions, including Muslim, Christian and Hindu leaders.

First of all, we would like to salute the three Indonesian Muslim leaders -- the chairman of this country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama, Hasyim Muzadi, of the second largest, Muhammadiyah, A. Safii Maarif, and State Islamic University (UIN) rector Azyumardi Azra -- for their perseverance in meeting U.S. President George W. Bush on Wednesday despite strong public opposition to any such meeting from some in the Muslim community.

We believe the three prominent Muslims proved their statesmanship by directly conveying to the U.S. president the deep opposition of the majority of the Muslim population here to the U.S.'s arbitrary policies in fighting terrorism, and its soft position on Israel, which continues to act in a brutal and unrestrained manner against the Palestinians.

Their readiness to hold talks with Bush once again signals to the world that the majority of Indonesian Muslims are not only moderate, but also people who are always ready to open their hearts and minds, even to those who adopt a position contrary to their own. The Muslim leaders spoke frankly to America's top leader.

Megawati's government, for its part, has done well in combating terrorism, as proved by its handling of the Oct. 12 Bali bombings last year.

We warmly welcome President Bush's reiteration of his stance on Islam and his high regard for Indonesia, which he described as the third largest democracy in the world. However, it is important to note here that this is not the first time he has voiced such flattering commendations.

These commendations, however, will be far from enough to convince Indonesians here. Or worse, the message could even deepen the sense of dissatisfaction with the world's only superpower as what people want to see from the president is concrete action to back up what he says, not just lip service and empty statements.

We fully understand America's traumatic experience in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. As a nation that thinks of itself as civilized, we also fully support the U.S. war to eradicate terrorism. However, we are sorry to say that for most people here, and most probably also in other predominantly Muslim countries, it is apparent that the superpower is putting on a charade of pretending not to know what the root cause of terrorism is.

The war against terrorism should not be used as an excuse to bully weaker countries. Hasyim told the president that his government's unwillingness to act against Israel's barbaric treatment of the Palestinians has sparked anger among the world's 1 billion Muslims.

How can the U.S. preach to the world about justice when it permits Israel's efforts to subjugate the Palestinians by whatever means it deems fit to continue? Why does the superpower demand that Iran stop its nuclear program while defending Israel's nuclear program at the same time?

The U.S. and its allies invaded Iraq based on reasons the veracity of which are now being questioned, even among Americans themselves. Bush can say that the occupation of Iraq has nothing to do with Islam. Nevertheless, people see that most of the victims are Muslims. Many people here even doubt the sincerity of President Bush's statements about Islam.

Finally, we want to call on President Bush to back up his public remarks about justice, Islam and terrorism by concrete actions that are in line with universal values and interests, and not only American values and interests.