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