Bagito Group show

Bagito Group show

I don't understand why in this reform era Nadhlatul Ulama (NU)
members were so upset with the performance of the noted Bagito
comedy group after they mimicked President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur"
Wahid on the Gebyar BCA program broadcast on the evening of Oct.
23 by Indosiar. They seemed to forget that Gus Dur himself is a
humorist, a democrat and an easygoing person.

NU executives "forced" the group to directly apologize to NU
members and Gus Dur, a move broadcast live several hours after
their performance. What a shame!

We still remember that in a talk show with Jayasuprana on TPI,
rebroadcast the night after Gus Dur was sworn in as President,
Gus Dur said that it was natural in the United States that a
president becomes an object of fun.

Several years ago, he even defended Salman Rushdie, author of
The Satanic Verses, when many Muslims in the country were upset
and accused the British author of humiliating the Prophet
Muhammad and his family. Prophet Muhammad is the most respected
Islamic figure. Muslims all over the world, especially NU
members, pay the highest respects to him every year on the
occasion of his birthday celebration.

Some legislators even chanted salawat badr (prayers for
Prophet Muhammad) when Gus Dur was elected as the fourth
President at the General Session of the People's Consultative
Assembly. Gus Dur also criticized some Muslims who demanded that
the license of the Monitor tabloid be revoked after the tabloid
gave Prophet Muhammad a rank (10th) under its editor Arswendo
Atmowiloto.

So, where were NU members' voices when their most respected
figure (Prophet Muhammad) was insulted? Why did NU members not
try to follow their leader's stand? It's strange.

The Bagito group usually presents fresh ideas and objects of
fun by introducing social phenomena and criticisms. I fear that
such sensitivities as shown by NU members could kill creativity
and freedom of expression in the country. But, as far as the
Bagito show is concerned, I hope not all NU members share the
same reactions.

DARUL AQSHA

Jakarta