Clerics told to pacify followers
Tiarma Siboro and Kurniawan Hari, Jakarta
Muslim leaders were told on Sunday to calm their followers to prevent possible clashes ahead of and during next month's presidential election, after several leading clerics insisted that it is forbidden for Muslims to vote for a woman leader.
Their comments were an elaboration of the edict issued by clerics from East Java in support of the decision of the National Awakening Party (PKB) to endorse the pairing of Gen. (ret) Wiranto and Solahuddin Wahid, an executive of the largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).
Critics also blasted the edict as the misuse of religion in the political interests of rival presidential candidates.
Azyumardi Azra, rector of the Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN), said Muslim leaders should stay neutral ahead of the July 5 election and mediate between conflicting camps.
"An exploitation of religious edicts will only propel people at the grassroots level toward violence," Azyumardi told a press conference along with NU scholar Ulil Absar Abdalla and Center for Electoral Reform (Cetro) director Smita Notosusanto.
He was referring to the Muslim clerics who oppose and support the reelection bid of Megawati Soekarnoputri, the only woman contesting the country's first direct presidential election.
Last Thursday, several influential NU clerics led by Abdullah Faqih issued the edict in the East Java town of Pasuruan.
They called on members of NU and other Muslims to vote for Golkar Party' nominees Wiranto and Solahuddin Wahid. An edict in Islam is not binding or mandatory for Muslims here to follow.
Other NU clerics have expressed support for Megawati and running mate Hasyim Muzadi, NU's executive chairman, in the election. Hasyim is officially nonactive as chairman at present in view of his candidacy for vice president.
On Saturday hundreds of Megawati's supporters in Surabaya, East Java, gave their thumb prints in blood, in show of support for the leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).
The activity continued in the city on Sunday, Antara reported.
"We will defend Ibu Mega until death. We are also ready to stand on the front line to face anyone trying to block her reelection bid," organizer Wahyu Budhiarto said.
Also in attendance at Sunday's press gathering were Kemala Candrakirana of the National Commission on Violence against Women and National Commission on Human Rights deputy chairperson Zoemrotin K. Susilo.
Smita said the issuance of such an edict constituted "negative political education" for voters because it did not respect individual choice. Zoemrotin said the move contravened human rights as it discriminated against women in politics.
Earlier on Friday, Azyumardi said the edict would damage the reputation of NU as a leading moderate organization in the predominantly Muslim nation.
Campaigning in the Aceh capital of Banda Aceh on Saturday, Hasyim said the edict was only the personal opinion of those who issued it and did not represent NU or its 40 million followers.
The NU central board asserted its neutrality and urged its members not to be influenced by the edict but to use their conscience in voting for presidential candidates.
"We ask NU members and supporters nationwide to hold special prayers the night before the poll to listen to their own conscience," acting NU chairman Masdar F. Mas'udi said during a gathering in Cibubur, East Jakarta, over the weekend.
Vice President Hamzah Haz, who is also running for the presidency, said the edict should not become a political issue.
Speaking in Cirebon, West Java, he argued that it was the duty of the Muslim clerics to convey what they believe to be true under sharia law.
It was the second time Megawati has faced such a hostile call from Islamists. Her party won the 1999 election but Muslim- based parties blocked her bid for the top post and instead nominated Abdurrahman Wahid as president five years ago.