Democratic values must beat sectarianism

Democratic values must beat sectarianism

The political scene is no longer predictable, yet some things
aren't really new. Political researcher Mahrus Irsyam of the
University of Indonesia looks at the repetition of history in an
interview with The Jakarta Post.

Question: How do you see the role of major Muslim forces in
the country now, such as those represented by diverse groups such
as Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah?

Answer: It's not just NU and Muhammadiyah. The rise of Amien
Rais, Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) and Megawati Soekarnoputri
reflects the return of political history in the period before
1945 independence. This was when the grassroot forces of Islam
and nationalists were at the forefront. This was an indication
that Islamic groups and the Indonesian Nationalist Party became
one in the independence movement and led at government level.

In BPUPKI (the body preparing Indonesia's independence) there
was Ki Bagus Hadikusumo, Wahid Hasyim (of NU), for instance.

After the 1950s the Islamic and nationalist groups began to be
marginalized; they had become the spear for change. The
Indonesian Communist Party came to power and when it was banned
they continued to be marginalized under (second president)
Soeharto.

Q: Wasn't their marginalization also led by their own weakness?

A: Yes, there was also much friction within them, and also
because of political interests... They were only a social
majority with so many Muslim-based organizations, but in a large
part of political history they were mostly a minority.
Nationalists did not have much chance either. To maintain his
power, Soeharto marginalized both groups. Golkar and the military
were comparatively far more solid.

Now the Islamic groups and nationalists are back again... we
see the "traditionalists and modernists" grouping together with
the nationalists now reflected in the Indonesian Democratic Party
of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and Megawati.

Q: There have been fears of the return of sectarian politics...

A: It will not happen as long as these forces stick to their
commitment to reform... There must be a more mutual approach
among Islamic organizations and within the Muslim-based "axis
force."

The feared weakness of sectarian politics should be overcome
by secular thinking; differences among them should be settled by
familiarizing democracy.

Familiarizing democracy among Muslims and non-Muslims should
be taken up by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The ministry
should not only take care of affairs such as pilgrimages and
determining the start of Ramadhan -- like Abdurrahman said in
criticizing the ministry. Taking care of the nation is more
important.

Instead of the suggestion of abolishing of the ministry and
making people restless, the Ministry of Religious Affairs should
take up a new role in familiarizing democracy among different
believers.

With the presence of Amien (who chairs the inclusive National
Mandate Party or PAN) sectarian politics is no longer likely.
Maybe it remains only among those in the Association of Muslim
Intellectuals (ICMI) or other supporters of B.J. Habibie. Such
aspirations will fade away if reform really takes its course.

Q: Do you think the Ministry of Religious Affairs is now up to
that proposed new role?

A: It could implement policies while relying on outside experts
such as rectors of the state-run institutes for Islamic studies
(IAIN) and activists in various (religion based) organizations.
Narrow perceptions among Muslims and non-Muslims would then
change to tolerance.

Q: How long do you think that would take?

A: We cannot say for sure but in the long run there definitely
would be results. (anr)