'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