Be watchful of Muslim conflict

Be watchful of Muslim conflict

From Republika

The actions taken by both supporters and opposition of President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid's administration have resulted in intergroup conflicts between Muslims with demonstrators provoking each other to resort to physical clashes, under the pretext of a jihad.

There have been many worrying statements recently made by ready-to-die supporters of Gus Dur from East Java and other regions, in addition to revelations from another group in Jakarta of their preparedness to face the President's supporters if they really come to Jakarta and if the police and military are unable to handle the situation. Are we, fellow Muslims, going to physically fight each other to death solely to defend or maintain political power?

O, ye Muslim believers throughout the country! Remember the commandment of God in paragraph 46 of Al-Anfal [8] letter saying: "And thou shalt obey thy God and His Prophet. And thou shalt not engage in dispute, which will only make you tremble (fail) and lose your strength, and be patient! Indeed, God will be with those who are patient".

Solidarity is not simply fanaticism. It requires one to be considerate and show respectful restraint toward one another, however great our differences may be. There should not be any effort to annihilate opponents.

Let us all turn to Islam's principle to revive and rebuild Islam and Islamic life properly for the sake of Islam and the welfare of mankind!

HADIRI ABDURRAZAQ

Jakarta