Is conversion option for Chinese?

Is conversion option for Chinese?

By Junus Jahja

JAKARTA (JP): The saying goes "When in Rome do as the Romans
do." So, ethnic Chinese in Thailand embrace Buddhism, in the
Philippines Catholicism, in the United States, Canada and Europe
they embrace Catholicism or Protestantism, and these countries
have no "Chinese problem".

According to Dr. Charles A. Coppel, in his book Indonesian
Chinese in Crisis, there have been four efforts to solve the
Chinese problem in Indonesia.

The first solution was through the "building of a socialist
community in Indonesia" as proposed by the late Siauw Giok Tjhan.
The second was through "assimilation", as suggested by K.
Sindhunata. The third through "basic human rights", proposed by
the late Yap Thiam Hien. The fourth, my solution, is "conversion
to Islam".

Quoting Moslem leaders, Coppel says conversion to Islam is the
most direct and fastest alternative for the following reasons:

* the ethnic Chinese influence would help the government's
objective of making Islamic organizations more moderate.

* the Moslem community would benefit from the influx of
ethnic Chinese resources, like capital and people with managerial
skill and university educations.

* the ethnic Chinese would get much needed shelter.

Hence, all parties could benefit if the ethnic Chinese
converted to Islam.

The question I ask is why the Chinese in Indonesia detach
themselves from the faith embraced by 90 percent of Indonesians.

Since World War II between 2 and 3 million Indonesians of
Chinese descent have converted to Christianity, while only 25,000
have become Moslem.

A book on this subject, The 6th Overseas Chinese State by Sie
Hok Tjwan, an Indonesian-born ethnic Chinese now residing in
Holland, offers a somewhat controversial answer.

Firstly, although the Chinese immigrants of the days of
Admiral Cheng Ho in the 15th century were Moslems, later Chinese
arrivals had a Sam Kauw background and followed one of the three
beliefs of Buddhism, Taoism or Confucianism. In the course of
five centuries the Chinese Moslems of the days of Cheng Ho were
totally absorbed by the majority.

Secondly, conversion to Christianity started under colonial
rule. Christianity was the religion of the rulers, and besides,
the colonial policy of segregation kept the Chinese and the
indigenous population apart. Catholic and Protestant missionary
work at that time was, and still is, well organized. Even now,
there are large funds available. Missionary schools and hospitals
have managed to keep their standard high. This accounted for a
large percentage of Christian converts among the Chinese and also
Indonesians.

Thirdly, discrimination by the Indonesian government against
the ethnic Chinese fosters a feeling of insecurity. There have
been incidents in which those alienated from their Sam Kauw
background have returned to these teachings to find solace.

Furthermore, the book states, one obstacle hampering
conversion is the practice of polygamy among certain Moslems and
the ease with which divorces can be obtained. This threatens the
family values espoused by the ethnic Chinese. They fear the
possibility of their daughters being divorced or having to
tolerate the present of other wives in the family. Family life,
regarded as the cornerstone of a healthy community, must remain
intact according to Confusion belief.

Even though converting to Islam for security reasons is
permissible according to the faith, Chinese in general feel that
converting solely for the sake of protection is not
recommendable.

Another matter alienating the Chinese from Islam is the
identification of Islam with fanaticism and cruelty. Incidents in
many countries where harsh practices are linked to Islamic
fundamentalism only reinforce this view.

The mass embrace of a new religion or a political party is
usually brought about by changing times.

When the Indonesian state was recognized in the 1940s, huge
support poured in for the country. Another example was when Mao
Zedong emerged as a victor in modern China. The whole country
supported China's communist party. Circumstances of such
proportions have shown that people tend to follow the mighty and
the powerful.

Today Indonesians hold power in their own country and the
majority of the population is Moslem. Therefore, it would be only
human if more ethnic Chinese in Indonesia converted to Islam. The
Chinese Islamic movement in Indonesia has time on its side, just
as time was on the side of independent fighters during the
decolonization period.

In the early 1980s, the former minister of religious affairs
H. Alamsjah Ratu Perwiranegara said that assimilation efforts --
ethnic Chinese assuming Indonesian names -- had not yielded
satisfactory results.

According to the former minister, he suggested to President
Soeharto that all walks of life be open to Chinese Indonesians
instead of limiting their activities to the trade sector. The
President stated that speedy assimilation would occur if the
Chinese were prepared to become Moslem.

Commenting on obstacles to total assimilation, the then prime
minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew said in his 1971's biography
that they were "not because of language and culture but more
because of religion".

The economic and political situation of Indonesia has improved
significantly and the ethnic Chinese are more aware that they
should embrace Islam. Consequently, many ethnic Chinese youths
are converting. The Indonesian everyman is now wondering if
tycoon Liem Sioe Liong will convert too.

The uncertainty that Moslems will accept them wholeheartedly
seriously handicaps the conversion of prominent Chinese to Islam.

They will be faced with questions like: Why did you suddenly
covert? What is your real objective? Is it only a move to save
your skin?

Public figure need sincere support and guidance before they
will convert. The same goes to less prominent figures. But this
is possible to accomplish.

Haj Junus Jahja is the secretary to the advisory board of Haj
Karim Oei Foundation.

Window: The economic and political situation of Indonesia has
improved significantly and the ethnic Chinese are more aware that
they should embrace Islam.