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.