Let's share a happy Idul Fitri

Let's share a happy Idul Fitri

The merriness of religious celebrations makes them contagious
among the pious and not-so-pious -- and so should it be with the
joy that welcomes the post-fasting holiday, Idul Fitri.

Observed by Muslims across the world, it is a day of
thanksgiving that one is again given the chance to be a better
person. Although, having tried one's best not to be led by
emotion or desire for a whole month, that improvement may only be
slight. Believers cherish the divine promise that on that day,
their slate is washed clean, their sins are forgiven and they may
begin anew with optimism and good faith.

Should we put it down to human nature that many of us ignore
the basic message behind the rites and traditions of the
celebration -- donning one's best clothes, praying together and
asking one another for forgiveness?

We're told that "fresh" -- often meaning new -- clothes, for
instance, symbolize a soul that has been cleansed, free of any
dark thoughts that he or she might have harbored against another.
On Idul Fitri then, this would mean, in the words of one scholar,
a person more open to solidarity with his fellow humans, Muslims
and non-Muslims.

Making this country a nicer place to live for all would indeed
require that sort of solidarity. But a short news item with the
blaring title Intolerance is still high in this daily on Friday,
reporting on findings about religious perceptions, should serve
as a slap in the face of Indonesian Muslims, particularly ahead
of the holy day, when most of the national population is supposed
to be cleansed of prejudice.

The survey sampled just 1,200 respondents across the 32
provinces. But it was a bitter pill to swallow anyway for Muslims
busy reminding the world, in the wake of the global war on
terror, that most of their ilk condemn violence, especially that
conducted in the name of their faith. Yes, the researchers
confirmed, most respondents did not approve of violent ways.

However -- "Forty-nine percent of respondents staunchly oppose
the building of a church in a predominantly Muslim neighborhood"
-- and 40.8 percent of Muslim respondents "were wary about
Christians conducting services in a majority Muslim
neighborhood."

One could speculate about the agenda of those involved in the
survey, such as the controversial Liberal Islam Network. But
consider the signs and scenes in our neighborhoods -- the cleric
booming through his beloved loudspeaker, warning of Christians'
eagerness to convert Muslims, right next to his Christian
neighbors; or the Catholic who opted to move to her sisters'
house because her neighbors were convinced that she was going to
build a church. Not to mention that obstinate wall in Cileduk,
South Jakarta, blocking off students' access to their Catholic
school, because neighbors were annoyed with continued worship
practices there.

Surely having God-fearing neighbors of any faith is a good
thing in this often frightening metropolis?

Our inability to live with differences can be attributed to
the manipulative designs of colonial rule, of the past New Order
regime under former president Soeharto, apart from zealots of all
manner of faiths in the nation's history. Much must be done
together to address this legacy. But one teaching of Islam is
also individual responsibility and hence the invalidity of
forever blaming something, or someone else for any shortcoming.

We wish readers a joyous Idul Fitri, and hope that the gaiety
of this year's festivities can somehow increase the urgently
needed sense of solidarity among us.