Confusing situation

Confusing situation

I have never been a member of a political party and have
rarely participated in any political activity, except the
national general elections. So, I think it is only logical that I
become confused when following the present political events and
try to understand the "why" behind what is happening.

Islamic hardliners in Indonesia are preparing themselves for
action against U.S. citizens and assets. The U.S. was attacked by
terrorists without any clear reason and suffered enormous human
and material losses.

So, why does Habib Muhammad Rizieq bin Hasan Shihab, supreme
commander of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) find it necessary
to wage a holy war against the U.S. and name it the biggest
terrorist in the world, when in fact the U.S. is currently
suffering from terrorism? What did the U.S. do against our
religion to justify the attack? If I am not mistaken, U.S.
President Bush said clearly that the planned war would not be
directed against Islam.

If the reason for the Islamic hardliners to attack the U.S. is
based on religion, then why are Islamic countries like Bahrain,
Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and
Turkey supporting the U.S. in the fight against international
terrorism? The United Arab Emirates even went a step further and
severed diplomatic relations with Taliban Afghanistan, followed
by Saudi Arabia. I have mentioned on purpose these Islamic
countries because they should logically be the first to condemn
the U.S.

Why did this happen? Indonesia is not an Islamic country.
According to the 1945 Constitution, it is a state based on
Pancasila where freedom of faith and religion is guaranteed by
the state.

In the context of violence done in the name of religion, I
would like to appeal to the police and other security apparatus
to be firm in the implementation of the law. We need actions, not
only statements. I am disappointed with what I read in the front
page article Police hesitant to act on militants in The Jakarta
Post on Sept. 26, 2001.

I also want to appeal for calm to those who are bracing
themselves for war with the U.S. They should realize that their
actions will only provoke the American public to retaliate
against Muslims and Indonesians in the U.S.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta