'Muslims not tied to edicts'

'Muslims not tied to edicts'

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) issued edicts late July that
discourage pluralism and liberalism and urge Muslims not to join
prayers led by non-Muslims. The edicts have been criticized by
experts. The Jakarta Post interviewed residents here to get their
views on the issue.

Edy Purwoko, 28, is an accounting staff for an advertising
agency in Central Jakarta. He lives with his wife and children
in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta.

Although the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) represents the
majority of Muslim groups in Indonesia, I don't think Muslims are
obliged to comply with the edicts. There are just so many Muslims
groups in the country that they cannot be represented by only one
group of ulema.

I believe that only people who feel represented by MUI will
heed the edicts. I am a member of Muhammadiyah. However, I do not
always believe in what Muhammadiyah's leaders say.

I really feel sorry for the Muslims who were attacked because
of the edicts. All civilized Muslims must condemn any attack on
Muslims or non-Muslims.

Rina Saraswati, 33, is a textile businesswoman. She lives with
her husband in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta.

People should view MUI as just one of pressure groups in a
democratic country like Indonesia. It can influence people just
like other groups, including political parties or major Muslim
organizations like Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) or Muhammadiyah.

Its edicts are merely advice, not law. So, it has the right to
issue any edicts according to Islamic law as they understand it.

The problem is that the state and its apparatus often fall
under its spell. For instance, police were silent when Muslim
group Ahmadiyah, which had been declared as a deviation from
Islam by MUI, was attacked by a group of people in early July.

As long as the state is strong and enforces existing laws,
everything will be alright. Ultimately, the public will know
which edict is to be followed and which is not.

-- The Jakarta Post