Religious leaders decry violence
JAKARTA (JP): Religious leaders of different faiths in the country joined hands yesterday in deploring the widespread violence of recent days, imploring all parties to show restraint.
"We are calling on everybody to abstain from violence, and deliberate in order to reach consensus. But we are also calling for improved (social) justice so that no one would have any reason to resort to violence," according to a statement issued by the Indonesia Bishops Conference and signed by chairman Mgr. Josep Suwatan who is currently in Rome for a conference of Asian bishops.
"We are supporting the efforts of a group of intellectuals from different faiths and professions to seek economic and political reform," the statement said. "Let us forget differences and seek common ground to pursue a better future for the nation. The executive needs to act wisely."
A similar call for restraint has been voiced by the Indonesian Council of Ulemas, delivered by deputy chairman Ali Yafie, and the Council of Buddhism Theravada Indonesia, signed by Herman S. Endro.
They referred to the shooting deaths of four students Tuesday at the Trisakti University, which sparked widespread rioting here over the past two days.
"The casualties that fell did not help efforts to achieve national reconciliation," Suwatan said. "Using firearms or violence and cause death does not only violate the laws and procedures, but also betrays the faith toward God, who is the owner of lives, and is a moral offense."
"Let us pray for the safety of the nation... (and hope) that the sacrifice (of the students) may open our hearts and encourage us to unite in... ending this unrest and suffering," Suwatan said.
The call coincided with that of Minister of Religious Affairs Quraish Shihab, who was quoted by Antara as saying that religious leaders should guide their congregations away from vandalism.
"Religious leaders should calm their people, especially Moslems on Friday (prayers) and Christians on these Saturday and Sunday (devotions)," he said.
The news agency also reported that the executive board of the Jakarta branch of the Indonesian Council of Mosques had issued a call to Moslems to exercise restraint.
The organization also urged the ulemas to hold shalat ghaib (the prayers for the dead) after Friday prayers today at noon. They also urged Moslems to say qunut nazilah, a prayer that Allah help them in especially trying times, after every of the five mandatory daily prayers.
Endro called on all members of the community to always pray that the nation be delivered from danger, and that it remain united in struggling to achieve its common goal.
"We are calling on all Bhikkhu, Anagarini and Pandita to perform the patidana ceremony in their devotions and pray that those who died, might find a better place in their new world," Endro said in the statement. (rlt/swe)