Islam should not be used for political interest: PKB

JAKARTA (JP): The Muslim-based National Awakening Party (PKB) has condemned the politicization of Islam, which it said contributed to fomenting the current ethnic and sectarian strife in the country.

PKB's secretary-general Muhaimin Iskandar said the politicization of Islam and its symbols detracted from the religion itself and undermined the value of its fundamental teachings.

"Islam should no longer be exploited for temporary and political interest because it has supernatural and spiritual values bearing no relation to politics," he said after the closing ceremony of a two-day party meeting on Wednesday.

"Islamic teachings should no longer be used as tools to justify political action."

He said the politicization of Islam and the use of divisive symbols were serious threats to national unity because Indonesia was composed of various religious and ethnic groups.

"Ethnic and religious issues that have been aired by certain Muslim groups to advance their own political interests contributed to recent bloodshed in Maluku, North Maluku and West Nusa Tenggara." He did not identify the groups.

He said PKB regretted the recent call for a jihad against the Christian community in Maluku and North Maluku. He claimed the calls contributed to inciting attacks against Christians in Mataram, the main town on Lombok island.

"PKB respects pluralism and all religions because being different is beautiful, and these different religions can play a role in strengthening national unity," he said.

Asked to comment on the rise of Islamic and other religion- based parties, Muhaimin said the emergence of "exclusivist" parties was a setback in the development of democracy in the country.

"Exclusivist parties will not win support from the people, as was shown in the June 7 general election, because the people's political awareness has improved," he said.

Despite the fact the party was established by Muslim figures from Nahdlatul Ulama who included President Abdurrahman Wahid, Muhaimin said the party would remain faithful to its nationalist underpinnings.

"In the next congress, scheduled for July, PKB is expected to recruit its cadres and leaders from all groups and religions to show its identity as a nationalist party and its commitment to fighting for everyone's interest," he said.

Muhaimin also said PKB urged the government to pay serious attention to law enforcement to maintain national stability.

"Legal certainty is much needed to create a feeling of safety among the people," he said. (rms)