John Paul, a man of peace for RI: Muslim leaders
John Paul, a man of peace for RI: Muslim leaders
Hera Diani and Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post,Jakarta
Mourning the passing of Pope John Paul II, Muslim leaders here on Sunday honored him as champion of freedom, saying his constant message of peace encouraged harmony in the predominantly Muslim nation often shaken by ethnic and religious clashes.
Hasyim Muzadi and Syafii Maarif, leaders of the country's two largest Muslim organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, respectively, as well as prominent Islamic scholar Azyumardi Azra, separately said the pope did a great deal to promote religious tolerance around the world.
Also on Sunday, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono conveyed his and the Indonesian people's sadness over Pope John Paul II's death.
"On behalf of the government and the people of Indonesia, I express my condolences on the passing of Pope John Paul II. He was an outstanding man, with an impressive record of promoting religious tolerance and interfaith dialog," he said before departing for an official visit to Australia.
Susilo said he would send a team of officials to the Vatican to attend the pope's funeral.
The team includes Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi Shihab, Minister of Religion Maftuh Basyuni, Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Freddy Numberi -- a former ambassador to Rome -- and Julius Cardinal Darmaatmadja.
"Islam has long taught religious tolerance. However, the pope influenced the moral movement among religions in Indonesia," Syafii Maarif, who chairs the 30 million-member Muhammadiyah, told The Jakarta Post.
"It is such a big loss for us. We hope his successor is as dedicated to peace."
Hasyim Muzadi, leader of the 40 million-strong NU, also expressed sadness at the pope's death.
"We ... certainly feel sorrow for the passing of the pope because he dedicated his life to humanitarian and peace efforts," he was quoted by Reuters as saying.
Hasyim and Syafii met with Pope John Paul II in the Vatican in February 2003, along with prominent Indonesian non-Muslim leaders. The meeting was part of the international peace movement against U.S. plans to invade Iraq.
The pope died on Saturday night in Vatican City (early Sunday morning in Jakarta) after years of illness. He was 84 years old.
After holding the papacy for 26 years, John Paul II's passing was mourned by millions of Roman Catholics around the world, with tens of thousands of faithful gathered outside his apartment in St. Peter's Square.
The extensive coverage of the pope's health over the last several days, according to Islamic scholar Azyumardi, showed the significance of the Catholic Church despite criticism of its conservatism and the rise of liberalism and secularism.
"The strong hierarchy and an impressive record of peace show the significance of the papacy as a moral strength, especially in the conflict following the Sept. 11 tragedy," said the rector of Jakarta's Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University.
He said the pope's constant message of peace and tolerance was especially relevant for a pluralistic society like Indonesia.
The pope, however, was often criticized by liberal Catholics for his staunch opposition to abortion, homosexuality, contraception and the ordination of women and married men.
Azyumardi said John Paul II was a symbol of control. "Progress and liberalization and secularism are facts of life. But there still has to be a limit. The pope was a reminder of the limits of humanity," he said.
However, he said all religious leaders had to be able to accommodate the wishes of religious followers.
"The leaders should be able to formulate new ritual frameworks to accommodate the wishes of followers, in the name of human equality."