Avoid horizontal conflicts

Avoid horizontal conflicts

From Media Indonesia

I am writing because I am worried about possible horizontal
conflicts between supporters and opponents of Gus Dur following
the plenary session of the House of Representatives slated for
April 30, 2001. The session will to hear the view of the House's
factions on the President's response to the House's first
memorandum of censure, which I believe will result in (i) the
House's rejection of President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid's
response and (ii) the necessity for the House to issue a second
memorandum.

As an ordinary citizen, I would like to appeal to leaders of
both Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah to immediately hold a
meeting and come to an agreement to prevent conflicts between
their followers.

The leaders of mass organizations should also enlighten their
members on democracy so that they will not commit anarchic acts
like destroying and burning properties, terrorizing and
intimidating the public etc.

We all are Muslims, so why should we be fighting each other?
The Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) should do something about
this, and if necessary issue a fatwa (a binding ruling on
religious matters) to prohibit the political elite from hiding
behind mass organizations. Let's read and remember God's
commandment in Al-Imran:103, "If we cannot shake hands with
others, can't we shake hands with our fellowmen?".

AGUS CIK

Jakarta