'The design is artistic, nothing more'

'The design is artistic, nothing more'

Rock band Dewa was reported to the city police by a number of
Muslim organizations led by the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) last
Monday for using the Arabic word for Allah on the cover of its
Laskar Cinta (Soldier of Love) album. The organizations accused
Dewa of blasphemy and demanded a public apology. The Jakarta Post
asked people in the capital to comment on the issue.

Melisa, 25, is a shop owner in South Jakarta. She lives in
Tangerang.

Come on, I think it is okay for Dewa to have the Allah symbol
on the cover of its album. I see it as gratitude toward God and
it's not meant to offend anyone. I don't think that anyone
outside the FPI is offended.

For me, it does not matter where people want to put the symbol
as long as it is not meant to be offensive.

Dewa has the right to use the symbol and from the freedom of
speech point of view, I think it is the band members' right as a
group of Muslim youths.

Cecilia Yuda, 21, is a research assistant working in North
Jakarta. She lives in Muara Karang, North Jakarta.

Music is an artistic expression. Sometimes, I think in
Indonesia, people are a little bit sensitive when it comes to
race or religion. They are easily offended, and think that it is
such a big deal while, overseas, people are allowed to speak
their minds.

I see Dewa's cover as art and artists pour out their feelings
in any way that pleases them. Not everybody appreciates art, but
that doesn't mean it should be censored for no reason other than
a misunderstanding.

If the symbol had been blended with negative images, such as
the devil or snakes, then it would be offensive. But it was not
altered, so it does not matter.