RI must become Islamic caliphate

RI must become Islamic caliphate

From Republika

Poverty can be seen in every rural and urban area in this
country. In Jakarta, for instance, slums are found on river banks
and behind highrise buildings, while disadvantaged children roam
around intersections begging.

Following the economic crisis in the late 1990s, the number of
poor people in Indonesia further increased. Based on data of the
Central Statistics Bureau, 17.5 percent, or 34.5 million, people
were classified as living in poverty in 1996. The rate declined
slightly to 17.4 percent in 2003 but the number rose to 37.4
million because of the growing population.

Socialism has not been able to take off and so has not created
public welfare and equality without social classes, while
capitalism, in line with the world system, has also fallen short
of global prosperity for mankind. In some cases it has even
caused terrible economic ruin. What system should we turn to?

The universal system of Islam has historically proven to be
the proper solution to poverty. During the heyday of the Islamic
caliphate, poverty could be relieved and welfare created for
centuries, regardless of the racial, ethnic and religious
diversity of local communities.

With this fact, common sense should prompt us to adopt the
Islamic system, which will bring about public welfare and benefit
to Muslims as well as non-Muslims.

ACHMAD SOFIAN
Jakarta