NU offers to bring Arqam into its fold in case of ban
NU offers to bring Arqam into its fold in case of ban
JAKARTA (JP): Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia's largest Moslem
organization, has offered to bring Al Arqam into its fold if the
government bans the Malaysia-based Islamic movement.
NU Chairman Abdurrahman Wahid made the offer on Wednesday
night as a ban against Al Arqam becomes imminent.
"NU is willing to accept the Al Arqam group as its member if
the government decides to outlaw the movement," Abdurrahman said,
stressing that the government too has a duty to find a solution
to the Arqam problem.
The Attorney General's office is expected to make its ruling
soon on the legality of the Darul Arqam, as the movement is known
in Indonesia.
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) last week demanded that the
government ban Al Arqam but refrained from giving any specific
reason, saying that it is up to the government to decide on the
grounds for the banning. Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi
Tahir has publicly supported the call for a ban.
NU has opposed the plan to ban the movement, at least not on
religious grounds. NU members who sit in the MUI board originally
opposed the call to ban Al Arqam but made an about face last
weekend and gave their support to the MUI call.
Abdurrahman said on Wednesday that the government should at
least hold a dialog with the Arqam leaders before deciding on
whether or not to ban the organization.
Muhammadiyah, a prominent Moslem organization, has been urging
the government to outlaw Arqam as far back as 1990, saying that
some of its teachings violated Islamic principles.
In Malaysia
The movement was banned in its home country Malaysia early
this month largely because it is perceived as a political threat.
Indonesia has declared Arqam's spiritual leader Ashaari
Mohammad, currently in exile in Jordan, as a persona non grata
here and also banned some of the books published by the
organization, citing political grounds.
The military and police in Jakarta meanwhile said the Arqam's
movement has not posed any security threat in the Indonesian
capital.
"Their presence has not caused any unrest to this day," Maj.
Gen. Hendropriyono, chief of the Jakarta Military Command, said
on Wednesday.
He added however that the potential for unrest could exist
because of the different life style they are pursuing. "There are
bound to be frictions."
He was apparently referring to the way Arqam members dress and
their secluded life style, which creates the impression of
exclusivism.
Hendro said he had already met with Arqam leaders several
times in the past.
Jakarta Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hindarto also said that he had
not heard of any suggestions that Arqam members were involved in
any criminal activities. (02/emb)