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.