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."