Combating poverty

Combating poverty

From Pikiran Rakyat

I agree with Atang Ruswita (Pikiran Rakyat, Dec. 13, 1996) that poverty should be eradicated and that mosques should be the centers for combating poverty, ignorance, backwardness and lust.

But which should we eradicate first? Poverty and ignorance are related, and one could say that ignorance leads to poverty, or the other way around.

As for ignorance, I prefer the term backwardness. Backwardness is universal and refers to a way of thinking, attitude and vision, while ignorance tends to mean in a particular field.

In any case, social ills must be eradicated and social solidarity employed to overcome physical and mental problems.

A. HAMID SRIWIJAYA

Bandung, West Java