Open-mindedness needed

Open-mindedness needed

In a laudable speech delivered during the 49th anniversary of
the Indonesian Islamic Student Association (HMI), Mar'ie Mohammad
appealed to young Indonesians to open themselves up, not to
indulge in exclusivism and not to take an a priori stance towards
any thought, view or idea whatever, wherever it comes from.
According to the former HMI activist and current Minister of
Finance, young Indonesians will thus be able to bring in the gust
of fresh air Indonesia needs to face a globalized future.

We agree with Mar'ie that the younger generation needs to be
trained and educated early on to develop any kind of farsighted
vision. Vision is what we need to confront the multidimensional
changes which we will be facing in the years that are to come.

We don't just need this vision in exceptional times, such as
the struggle for independence -- the kind of vision our founding
fathers displayed. We need the same kind of vision now, too, when
our nation is being confronted by the fundamental changes of this
new era. Both eras usher in change although of a very different
character in terms of substance and nature.

In anticipating that coming era, our readiness to open
ourselves up to new views and thoughts without abandoning a
critical stance is of the greatest importance. We also need some
kind of "moral ecology" in order to live within the bounds of
morality.

On the other hand, this attitude of openness towards new ideas
is bound to collide with old established conceptions. The problem
is to make sure that such a collision leaves no serious wounds.
So we need to remember that change is natural. As the saying
goes, nothing is permanent except change itself.

-- Republika, Jakarta