Separatists exploiting religion: Feisal Tanjung
Separatists exploiting religion: Feisal Tanjung
JAKARTA (JP): Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung
warned yesterday that separatist groups in East Timor, Irian Jaya
and Aceh are exploiting religious issues to further their
agendas.
"They are using religion to justify their cause," Feisal said
while addressing a meeting of top officials from the Ministry of
Religious Affairs.
"We must put the function of religion in its true place.
Through this meeting I hope we can formulate the proper role of
religion in the state," he said.
East Timor is a predominantly Roman Catholic territory, Irian
Jaya is Christian while Aceh has a staunch Islamic community. The
government has been facing armed insurgencies in all three
provinces.
Feisal said the activities of these movements "cannot be
separated" from the separatist ideas as is happening in other
parts of the world.
Extremist groups would also try to exploit religious
differences to sow discord in society, he said.
"There is a need to look deep into the mission of all
religions, and to look at the problems that are occurring in
society in accordance with religious teachings.
"For this reason, this forum is expected to come up with a
concept of peaceful coexistence among the various religious
communities in Indonesia that is based on objective conditions in
the country," he said.
The general said that it is ironic that crime rates in
Indonesia continue to increase even as religious life has grown
stronger.
"This goes to show that religion has not been fully embraced
by all members of society.
"For this reason, I believe there is a need to formulate a
method of religious propagation that puts greater emphasis on
building people's attitudes and characters," he said.
Religion is a sensitive issue and one that can fire up the
emotions of believers. This is why the government is emphasizing
that everyone should respect religious differences, he said.
"But we still find certain people in this country who try to
exploit religious differences which can lead to conflict."
Indonesia experienced an unprecedented number of religious and
racial riots last year across the country, including in several
towns in East Timor and in West and Central Java. (01)
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