Moslems told to prevent unrest
Moslems told to prevent unrest
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Council of Ulemas called on
Indonesian Moslems as the majority population to help establish
peace and national unity, and prevent social unrest.
In a statement issued at the conclusion of its three-day
annual meeting Saturday, the council called on everybody to learn
from the recent incidents of unrest across the country, and to
exercise self-restraint.
"Please increase your awareness of those seeking to create
havoc and bring disintegration," the council said in the
statement delivered by chairman Hasan Basri.
The ulemas said that Moslems must strengthen internal unity if
they are to help maintain national unity.
"Moslems need to understand one another, tolerate, care, and
help each other," the statement said.
Over recent months Indonesia has been rocked by ethnic and
religiously motivated violence that has led to scores of deaths
and serious damages. In West Kalimantan, for example, the
province witnessed more than two months of ethnic clashes that
killed at least 300 people.
A number of deaths, scores of shops and businesses as well as
places of worship have been burned or vandalized in several
cities on Java and in the province of East Timor since October.
The ulemas conceded that social and economic gaps may have
fueled the unrest, but that the discrepancies "should be seen
proportionately while working to overcome them."
"We realize this is not easy and needs an integrated approach,
cooperation, patience and commitment from both the government and
community," Hasan Basri said. "This is why Islamic organizations
should...help empower people's economic."
In another part of its statement, the council underlined the
importance of a harmonious relation between Moslems and the
government, including the Armed Forces (ABRI), as a component of
national stability.
"This is why the current relations should be improved even
further," Hasan said, adding that the ulemas are ready to help
and be involved in the Alert Command Posts, recently set up
across the country to detect and nip unrest in the bud.
The statement touched on other causes of concern for the
ulemas, including the negative impacts of globalization, poor
ethical behavior, violence and the abuse of power.
"We call on the public to shield themselves from these
negative impacts and demand that the government enforce the law,"
Hasan said.
The council also expressed support for the Indonesian Foster
Parents Movement and said that it would help collect zakat
(obligatory alms giving) as well as shodaqoh and infaq (voluntary
alms) for the drive.
In one of Saturday's sessions, the ulemas met with the
movement's chairwoman, Halimah Bambang Trihatmodjo. The drive was
established last year to help poor, handicapped, and isolated
children complete their educations.
The program, set up to assist the government's 1994 compulsory
nine-year education program, receives donation from groups and
religious organizations as well as individuals who become foster
parents by sponsoring a child's education.
Almost 200,000 children have been able to stay in school
thanks to the drive. According to the Ministry of Social
Services, almost 6 million children between seven and 15 years
old are currently unable to go to school.
"The movement tries to help all children from poor families,
regardless of their intelligence," she said.
Last year the council announced its plan to use zakat to help
poor and bright children finish their educations.
"It's the responsibility of us all to help children pursue
their educations. It's stipulated in the Holy Koran," Hasan said.
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