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