Muslim organizations to hold talks on Islamic law
Muslim organizations to hold talks on Islamic law
Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta
A militant Muslim organization here is campaigning for Islamic
syariah law to be included as an amendment to the 1945 national
Constitution.
The Indonesian Mujahidin Council (MMI) is preparing a seminar
to discuss the proposal.
MMI Chairman Irfan S. Awwas told a press conference here on
Thursday that the two-day seminar, titled A Proposal for the
Amendment of the 1945 Constitution Adjusted to Islamic Syariah,
will be held on Jan. 15-16 at Yogyakarta's Sahid Raya Hotel.
The seminar will discuss a 56-page book written by his
organization, which outlines a proposal for Islamic law.
MMI Secretary Shobbarin Syakur said the seminar will aim to
clarify different perceptions by various Muslim organizations
about syariah.
He said the forum is expected to come out with recommendations
on issues related to Islamic law and the amended Constitution.
The 1945 Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
In last year's Annual Session of the People's Consultative
Assembly, the highest law-making body, most factions rejected the
re-inclusion of the controversial Jakarta Charter demanded by
puritanical Islamic groups.
The charter, which was proposed by Islamic leaders in the
early days of Indonesian independence in 1945, may lay the
foundation for the adoption of the strict Muslim laws, which are
being implemented currently in Aceh.
The constitutional amendment process will resume in August.
Irfan said the forum will involve at least 20 political
parties and Islamic organizations including the nation's two
largest moderate groups -- Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah.
He said both NU and Muhammadiyah have confirmed their
attendance at the seminar, and added that, "Muhammadiyah
delegates will present a paper."
Other participants include those from the extremist Ahlus
Sunnah Wal Jamaah organization and Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia.
Vice Chairman of Muhammadiyah's Consultative Assembly Fahmi
Muqoddas confirmed that his organization will send two delegates
to attend the seminar.
Asked about the significance of Muhammadiyah's participation
in the seminar, Fahmi said his organization wants to take a role
in providing inputs for the proposal.
"We want to contribute our Islamic thoughts on how Muslims can
understand syariah properly, and how it can be realistically
applied, so that the Islamic law will not only be implemented for
the benefit of Muslims, but followers of other religions as
well," he told The Jakarta Post.