Image of 'pesantren'

Religious leaders in the country expressed concern that the ongoing investigation in the Oct. 12 Bali bombing would tarnish the image of the Islamic boarding schools (pesantren). While it would be wrong to condemn all pesantren as schools where "Political Islam" or hatred against other religions is taught, it is a fact that many of these religious schools in Indonesia and in other mainly Islamic countries have been responsible for creating students who follow the radical teaching of clerics who run these schools.

It is therefore of importance that the government can identify these pesantren and madrasas where "Political Islam" plays a major role and close them down for the sake of the country and in order to reinstate the image of those pesantren who teach the true Islam.

In the case of one specific pesantren in Central Java, it is obvious that hatred towards other religions as well as glorification of terrorists like Osama bin Laden are part of the students education.

If Indonesia wants to regain the image of a peaceful Asian nation of moderate Muslims with a great Asian culture, it's now the time to go against all those who want to transform our society into a fundamental "Wahabi style" Middle Eastern culture.

HERDI SENO, Jakarta