ICMI's challenge

ICMI's challenge

President Soeharto, in his address at the opening of the
second congress of the Association of Indonesian Moslem
Intellectuals (ICMI), asked the organization to be aware of the
universal nature of Islamic teachings and of specific
peculiarities distinct to all nations.

Such an awareness, according to the Head of State, is nothing
new. Indonesian leaders adhering to the Moslem faith have always
been aware that there must not be conflict between religious
teachings, which are universal in nature, and the various
problems which confront Indonesia.

The Head of State expressed his conviction that ICMI, as a
repository of Moslem intellectuals, would not fall into the trap
of egoism or ignoring the interests of other groups in society.
The President expressed his hope that ICMI would always be a
national force pushing the nation forward.

The President's words should be given seriously thought by
ICMI. In addition, the public's hope that ICMI will not develop
into an elitist organization must also be heeded. These hopes
appear to already have been answered by Habibie. In his account
as general chairman of ICMI, Habibie made it clear that ICMI was
being developed to enable Indonesia face the challenges of
globalization and industrialization with proper moral, ethical
and spiritual guidance.

It is obvious that these challenges -- including the
realization of our great potential to fulfill the hopes of the
people -- will be easier to meet when fortified by moral, ethical
and spiritual strength. This is one challenge ICMI will face in
the future.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta