Muslims' way of life
A man of religion is a man in the first place. Like a man of any other attribute, he can be a democrat, if and when he has to be one. Reading the June 16 Insight, I am interested in airing my voice against Western-educated scholars' self-claimed interpretation and manifestation of the generic nouns democracy, equality and justice in the context of our life as the nation called Indonesia.
Referring to Dr. Shihab's remark, Dr. Djiwandono wonders if a man of religion can be a democrat at the same time. A democrat who will accept the majority of the votes won by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) as a result of the 1999 general election. However, when he refers to the majority- minority reality -- a fact of life in Indonesia that has prevailed for more than 700 years, Dr. Djiwandono says it is imperative to discontinue thinking of a majority-minority equation -- particularly Muslim-non-Muslim dichotomy. More dramatically, Dr. Djiwandono asserts that this is a condition for continuing to live as a nation.
Dr. Djiwandono -- who undoubtedly is a democrat -- points out that equality and justice are among democratic ideals. It would, then, be interesting to hear from him how the principle of justice -- democracy style -- has been implemented when PDI Perjuangan, while making use of Muslims' sentiment by exploiting Islamic holy words such as "Allah is great", played down the stark improportional composition of PDI Perjuangan's legislators, religion-wise, in favor of non-Muslims.
While realizing that this archipelago is inhabited by the largest Muslim community in the world, and recommending that we respect what is accepted as good and sacred in one another's religion, he advocates that Indonesians adopt values unilaterally claimed by the West as "universal".
To Muslims, Islam is universal. This implies that respecting what is accepted as good and sacred in Islam means respecting Muslims' commitment to run their life in accordance with Muslims' believed and beloved concepts. Dr. Djiwandono does not set a good example when he recommends "respecting what is accepted as good and sacred in one another's religion."
To Muslims, Islam is the way of life; it encompasses all walks of life. When a Muslim participates in a certain walk of life, i.e. in politics, he is obliged to refer to the holy Koran and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad. In the practice of democracy, legislators play a very important role in making laws. Therefore, legislators can be seen as leaders. The Koran obliges Muslims to elect leaders among Muslims.
In Islamic teachings and practices, coexisting peacefully with people of other beliefs is neither new nor alien. Prophet Muhammad lived and ruled in Medinah 1,500 years ago, with a population of Jews and Christians enjoying privileges different but equal to those enjoyed by Muslim majority.
Observing the rules of the game, Muslims do not object to PDI Perjuangan's possible victory in the general election. Reciprocally, however, listening to Muslims' aspirations, such as in reviewing the dramatically improportional composition of PDI Perjuangan legislators, religion-wise, constitutes respect for human dignity -- a value in democracy.
A man of religion is a man in the first place. If what is meant by religion is Islam, a man can be a good Muslim and a democrat at the same time, if he chooses to be one. However, Islam does not need manmade concepts with which to rule a Muslim's life, for Islam itself is the concept divinely prescribed for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. The fact that there are Muslims who do not practice Islamic teachings, especially in politics, belongs to areas of improvement we Muslims are continuously working on.
ALBERI P. BACHTIAR
Jakarta