'Confucianism must be recognized'

'Confucianism must be recognized'

SEMARANG: A Muslim activist called on the government to
recognize Confucianism as an official religion, adding it to
Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism and Hinduism.

Noor Achmad, chairman of the Indonesian Mosque Youth
Coordinating Board in Central Java, blamed politics prejudiced
against Chinese Indonesians for the fact that for years,
Confucianism was considered merely a sect.

"In this reform era the government must admit its existence
and officiate it as a religion," Noor said on Monday night,
citing Khong Hoe Tyoe as "the prophet" and Su Si Ngo King as the
"holy book" for the faith.

"There are many followers of the faith and they still perform
its rites quietly. They should no longer live in fear" of
persecution, he added. Confucianism is a popular religion in Hong
Kong as well as in other countries, Noor said. (har/edt)