Jakarta Charter

Jakarta Charter

From Neraca

An opinion article published in the Neraca daily on Aug. 15, 2000, titled Discourse on the Jakarta Charter, prompted me to agree, particularly, with Muslim intellectual Dr. Nurcholish Madjid (or Cak Nur as he is popularly referred to) for his brief argument that Article 29 of the Constitution of 1945 is actually based on the Holy Koran.

Moderate Muslims will find it easy to agree that the seven words contained in the Jakarta Charter need not be incorporated in the Constitution proper because in Islam matters pertaining to acknowledgement of God's oneness are already clear while the entire system of Islamic law is also already well-structured. Mentioned or not, the Koran and hadiths, collection of stories relating words or deeds of Muhammad, will always be the life principle to Muslims.

As for the hard-liners, it is hoped that Cak Nur's opinion will somewhat soften their noble stance. To agree to the exclusion of the seven words of the Jakarta Charter from the Constitution, in the past and at present, does not necessarily mean that the struggle of the Muslims suffers a defeat. Instead, the magnanimity of the Indonesian Muslims has substantially contributed to the existence of this state.

If the "sly" bluff once made by Maramis to the effect that the eastern regions of Indonesia will secede from the Republic of Indonesia if the Jakarta Charter is incorporated into the Constitution is repeated with the desire of Irian Jaya and Aceh to separate from the Republic of Indonesia, Indonesian Muslims are certainly not to blame. In other words, the struggle of Indonesian Muslims during Indonesia's years of independence will not be futile if this republic is threatened with disintegration.

It is true that factually Indonesia is a law-based state, a form of statehood adopted from the West, but it is also true that implicitly the Islamic canon strongly prevails in the lives of the majority of Indonesians. This shows that Indonesian Muslims are magnanimous people who do not force upon others their own wishes. God willing, this magnanimity will be the Indonesian Muslims' biggest contribution, for the second time, to ensuring the existence and integrity of the Indonesian nation.

Now that regional autonomy is being allowed, provinces or districts wishing to apply the Islamic canon to their people may do so. The Special Region of Aceh is an example in this respect. So, what is the use of amending something which is already in a correct and noble position?

If the debates on the Jakarta Charter are confined only to discourse to serve as a reminder of the greatness of the spirit of the Muslims, who make up the majority of the Indonesian population, this is wise enough. Thank God, we are still united.

ABDILLAH KAMIL

Jakarta