Different orbits
Different orbits
Vehemently arguing that Indonesia is predominantly a Muslim
country and the current moral crisis can only be solved through
Islamic law, some people have insisted on incorporating syariah
into the Constitution since the downfall of the New Order regime.
The groups who want to include the seven-word-phrase dengan
kewajiban menjalankan syariat Islam bagi pemeluk-pemeluknya (to
implement Islamic law for its followers) into the Constitution
maintain that it is not going to harm other religions.
They, however, forget that the inclusion of the seven words
may turn this country into an Islamic state. The nation's
integrity will be at stake since followers of other religions
will break away from the Republic of Indonesia. The people of
this pluralistic country who enjoy religious and cultural
pluralism will no longer accept differences of opinion.
We all know that the world's biggest religions are Islam and
Christianity, but it is highly unlikely that the whole world
could be turned into an Islamic or Christian state.
This is proved by the inception of the Madinah Chapter during
the life of Prophet Muhammad. The Madinah Chapter states that the
two parties agree not to harm one another. This was meant to
create peace between the two biggest followers -- "I have my own
religion and you have yours". How did the chapter come into
existence?
Because during the Isra Mi'raj (the ascent of Prophet Muhammad
to heaven) where all people were united, there was a miracle: The
sky split. This event proved that the two followers were at
different poles. To unite them was akin to uniting the moon and
the sun. They both stay in their own orbit. We all acknowledge
the calculation of the solar year for Christians and lunar year
for Muslims .
Please be aware, my Islamic friends, one of our Prophet's
tasks was to unite people under Tauhid (the acknowledgement of
one God). And Sukarno enshrined this in the state ideology of
Pancasila. Therefore, the nation is based on Pancasila. This is
final. It cannot be changed into an Islamic country. Contain and
fight your own desires as your biggest enemy is your own self.
Islam is only for those who think. Please contemplate on it!
AGUS UTORO
Serang, Banten