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