Tolchah says religion used to cause conflict

Tolchah says religion used to cause conflict

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): There is a growing trend to use
religion to trigger conflict for the interests of the political
elite, Minister of Religious Affairs Tolchah Hasan has warned.

Speaking to religious leaders here on Saturday, Tolchah called
on the nation, including religious leaders, to be alert in
maintaining harmonious religious life in the country.

"The government wants this Ramadhan fasting month, Christmas
and the Hindu Galungan, which falls on Jan. 5, to become the
right moment to contemplate and to introspect for the sake of
brotherhood among the religious communities," he said.

He said that a series of violence, including the Ketapang riot
in Jakarta last year, continuous conflict in Ambon and the recent
Doulos fire in Jakarta were all politically motivated.

"The Ambon violence is the best example of political
conspiracy in which religion has been misused, while common
people have been victimized," he said.

"I see the backdrop of the conflicts was not only religion and
ideology. However, in the end religion was used to cause the
conflicts."

"Therefore, I honestly call on all layers of society,
especially the political elite, not to use religion to cause this
nation to disintegrate," Tolchah reiterated.

Meanwhile in Surabaya, East Java, the newly elected chairman
of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Hasyim Muzadi, said on Saturday that
the arson attack on the Christian-owned complex housing the
Doulos school, drug rehabilitation and psychiatric centers in
Jakarta was most likely done by atheists.

"The purpose was to play one religious group against another
with the intention of causing chaos nationwide."

One died and more than a dozen people were injured when a mob,
armed with sharp weapons and kerosene, stormed and set on fire
the Doulos complex in East Jakarta on Wednesday night. The dead
was identified as Sariman, a 31-year-old theology student from
Bantul, Yogyakarta.

"I personally, and in my capacity as NU chairman, regret
deeply the arson attack. Moreover, it took place during the holy
month of Ramadhan," he told journalists after attending a meeting
of NU's East Java branch.

He said that atheists always ignited conflict among religious
followers.

"Their activities, claimed to be on behalf of a religion, can
hardly be detected, and is proven to be the most effective way to
upset unified religious life."

"We have a long history with atheists. Now their actions are
becoming more complicated." (27/nur/sur)