Religious leaders decry violence
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)