Don't link deadly Bali bombing with religion: Leaders

Don't link deadly Bali bombing with religion: Leaders

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Leaders from different religions, calling themselves the National
Moral Movement (GMN) pleaded on Monday for all people to refrain
from linking the deadly Bali bombing with any religion,
particularly Islam.

GMN spokesman Hasyim Muzadi told journalists after the GNM
meeting at the Nahdlatul Ulama office here that the bombing in
Bali was a crime against humanity, which no religion condoned.

"We, the religious leaders, condemn the tragedy as we believe
that none of this world's religions would tolerate it. I repeat.
Not one of this world's religions would tolerate it!

Therefore, the government has the obligation to investigate
and punish the perpetrators," said Hasyim, who is also NU
chairman. NU is the country's largest Muslim organization.

The meeting was attended by representatives of various
religions including Reverend S.A.E. Nababan of Indonesian
Communion of Churches (PGI), Cardinal Julius Darmaatmadja of
Indonesian Bishop's Council (KWI), priest Tjhie Tjay Ing of the
High Council of Confucianism (Matakin) and Hindu priest I Gede
Natih

Hasyim further urged the government to call for follow other
countries who have already called for a national day of mourning
for those killed in the terrible tragedy.

In a show of their concern, the religious leaders also planned
a trip to Bali to pay their respects and comfort the bereaved.

They also hope to give encouragement to all the volunteers and
medical people "who have conducted every effort to help the
injured."

The representatives from the country's second largest Muslim
organization Muhammadiyah also planned to join them in Bali.
Together with NU, Muhammadiyah is promoting a moderate image of
Islam in the country.

Meanwhile, Darmaatmadja said that the tragedy was an attack
against innocent life and "any act against innocent lives is an
against God."

"The next few days will be important for us, for us to pay our
respects to God's creations, as we believe that every murder
against His creation is a sin against our God.

"The government should not hesitate to blame those who are
supposed to be responsible over the tragedy," he stated.

Separately, Indonesian scholars and activists criticized the
government for its weak response in handling the debacle in Bali,
warning that further inadequate responses would only anger the
rest of the world even more.

Muslim scholar Nurcholis Madjid said that the Bali tragedy was
a result of the government's lack of initiative to fight
terrorism in the country.

"The government -- and I am including Mbak Mega -- must push
aside personal or group interests and just combat terrorism here.
Instead of worrying about pleasing certain groups, the government
must put the national interest above all. Only in this way, will
Indonesia be able to win the battle against terrorism," he said,
directing his statement to President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

He warned that the tragedy could ruin the country's image, and
would possibly lead to Indonesia becoming totally isolated from
the international community.

Nurcholis made his statement at a press conference which
included rights activists Todung Mulya Lubis, Bara Hasibuan and
Father Mudji Sutrisno in a press conference on Monday.

Earlier in the day, they visited the Australian Embassy to
offer their condolences and sympathy.

Todung said that the bombing was not only an act of terror but
also a tragedy for all of humanity.

"We urge the government to solve the case as soon as possible.
The country has experienced several acts of terror, but the
government has never revealed the masterminds," said Todung, who
is also a lawyer.

The activists also urged the establishment of an independent,
international fact-finding mission to investigate the case. The
suggestion was also supported by ProPatria, a group working on
reform of the security sector.

"We live in an international community, it's okay if we have
to ask for assistance. But, the government must assure its
accountability," said Kusnanto Anggoro, a military observer.

Muhammadiyah chairman Ahmad Syafii Maarif issued a separate
statement on Friday from his office in Yogyakarta, calling on the
government and its security forces to take swift action to find
the motives behind the bombing.

"Muhammadiyah urges the police to thoroughly and objectively
investigate the case and drag the perpetrators to court," the
statement said.

The moderate Muslim group however, urged all parties,
particularly the police, not to jump to any conclusions about the
motive or the perpetrators of the bombing without providing
credible evidence arrived at after a long investigation.