The basis of solidarity

The past week was a tumultuous and exhausting one. It was tumultuous because Jakarta and other big cities seemed to have turned into miniature battlefronts between the U.S. and Afghanistan. In Jakarta it was as if Kabul was in the Monas Square and the White House on Jl. Merdeka Selatan.

All the mass activity took place in the name of solidarity with the Afghans who were suffering unjustly due to U.S. actions to destroy the Al-Qaeda.

Solidarity turned into anger when the religious factor came into play. The notion evolved that the U.S. attack on Afghanistan was a reflection of hatred against Islam.

The past week was also exhausting because of the problems that emerged. The government suddenly found itself in a most difficult situation due to demands for the severance of diplomatic ties with the U.S.

This is the problem when we build solidarity based on religion. When 1,000 or 2,000 people get angry because of religious sentiments, all avenues of dialog are shut. Then there is only intolerant self-righteousness, which is frightening.

Let us lead a healthy political and religious life, let's have solidarity based on humanism, which is much more neutral and more amenable to discussion.

If we use the religious argument, we will be like those who wish to go to the moon but, in the process of making their wish come true, destroy the world they live in.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta