Muslims, be patient

Muslims, be patient

From Jawa Pos

My observation of the current acts of violence occurring in
Jakarta and other parts of Indonesia, which involve certain
groups of Muslims in this country, leads me to write the
following.

In my opinion, in the first place as the majority of
Indonesia's population is Muslim, we Muslims should appreciate
the existing plurality of our society. In addition, we should
also be able to protect the minorities.

Accordingly, if we are tempted or disturbed by what is going
on around us like gambling, discotheques and the like which we
regard as forbidden or sinful, we should take them as a test of
our faith, without which we would not experience the benefit of
quality fasting. We should be patient because our religion
teaches us self restraint and does not tolerate acts of violence
such as indiscriminately damaging or burning cafes, discotheques
and theaters etc. that are forbidden or sinful in the eyes of
Muslims.

FANANIE ANWAR

Surabaya