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)