Time to promote tolerance

Time to promote tolerance

The holy month of Ramadhan is back again -- time for Muslims
the world over to contemplate and purify their spirits.

The fasting month of Ramadhan is always eagerly awaited by
Muslims, who believe that the month of self-sacrifice and
abstinence is the best time to review the past year.

In recent years, Ramadhan has become more significant for
Muslims, who have been living with the shadow of terror, which,
unfortunately, has been linked to Islam.

Here at home, the Bali bombings have been found to be linked
to Muslims, not to mention several other bombings across the
country. The Sept. 11 tragedies in the United States were also
linked to Muslims.

Now that Ramadhan is here, Muslims should be wiser, engage in
introspection and be more broad-minded in responding to what goes
on around them.

The recent explanation given by Indonesian Muslim leaders to
visiting U.S. President George W. Bush -- that Islam was not
synonymous with terror -- is the best example of how Muslims
should behave against terror-related allegations.

It must be obvious to anyone that a few Muslims groups do not
represent the global Muslim community, despite the spirit of
brotherhood encouraged among Muslims. Overreacting against the
fallacy that Islam equals terrorism is unnecessary.

The need for self-restraint should also be impressed upon
people, especially Muslims, living in the restive province of
Aceh, where killing has become commonplace. Thus, the proposal to
both Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the Indonesian Military to
observe a ceasefire during the fasting month is understandable.
However, that does not mean killing can resume after the fasting
month, because a ceasefire that lasts for ever -- and to stop
killing -- is best for all.

For many people, Ramadhan also means a time of firecrackers,
which are more terrifying and dangerous than amusing. We hope
that all will respect those decrees prohibiting the sale and use
of firecrackers, and that law enforcement be upheld.

In big cities, such as Jakarta, the coming of Ramadhan is a
sign for a temporary halt in the night life business. Provincial
administrations usually issue decrees to limit the operation hour
of entertainment establishments such as karaoke halls, bars and
night clubs, as well as massage parlors and cafes.

The temporary ban is meant to stop establishments that
provides a temptation for sexual activities and the consumption
of alcoholic beverages, as such haram activities must be stopped
during Ramadhan.

However, it must sound ridiculous to many that, on the other
hand, the authorities allow alcohol to be sold and drunk, and
bordellos to remain open -- although this is against the law --
during the rest of the year.

Such moves simply indicate the authorities' double-standards
in enforcing the law and upholding Islamic teachings.

The other significant point to be observed by Muslims during
Ramadhan is tolerance, as was taught by the Prophet Muhammad.

Physically, fasting is to suffer hunger and thirst. The
purpose of this experience is to develop an empathy towards the
poor, who find it difficult to scrape together their daily meals.

The same empathy should also be directed toward those who have
become homeless, following the evictions carried out by the
Jakarta administration.

Finally, this process of self-purification will lead to Idul
Fitri, the holiday that marks the end of Ramadhan, when Muslims
are reborn as immaculate and pure human beings.

We ask that all people of all faiths respect the fasting
month. Muslims should also respect the rights of those who do not
fast, while urging their brothers and sisters to set a good
example in observing the holy month.

In the end, it is this kind of mutual tolerance, self-
restraint and empathy that will encourage pluralism -- whether
religious, ethnic, cultural or otherwise -- and so cleanse all
our hearts of the evil, hatred and fear of the past year.

Marhaban ya Ramadhan