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