Thu, 11 Oct 2001

Islamic solidarity and Indonesia's interests

We would like to underscore the call by leaders of the Muhammadiyah (Muslim) organization to put emphasis on peaceful means. The Muhammadiyah has called on all Indonesian Muslims to refrain from taking revenge, which is against the principles of Islam. It is calling on Muslims to make every effort to promote solidarity among them and engage in diplomatic efforts through the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the UN in order to forestall further American attacks (on Afghanistan) and seek a more civilized and more humane solution to their problems.

We condemn the United States for its arrogance and its intention to wipe out the weaker Taliban. On the other hand -- in the name of Islam's greatness and wisdom -- we must not let our feelings of solidarity with Afghanistan destroy our own nation.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta