Top Muslim leaders stress aid, not violence

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Islamic leaders here called on Indonesians to focus their attention on humanitarian concerns in Afghanistan rather than religious solidarity as over a million Afghans have taken flight in fear of a possible U.S. military strike.

"It would be more sympathetic if Indonesian Muslims deal with the real problems facing the Afghan people," said Syafi'i Maarif, chairman of the second largest Islamic organization, Muhammadiyah, on Saturday.

The United Nations estimate about 1.5 million people have fled Afghanistan following the U.S. threat to attack Afghanistan if it fails to relinquish Osama bin Laden, who Washington has named as the prime suspect in the Sept. 11 attacks on American landmarks.

The UN has sought US$584 million to help some 7.5 million Afghans from October to March. It has also estimated that about 20,000 Afghans have crossed over into Pakistan in the past two weeks.

Syafi'i said Islamic organizations in Indonesia could show their support for Afghans through collecting donations, without any regard to whether the U.S. attacks Afghanistan or not.

"The Afghan people are destitute. Their condition is worsening because they are forced to leave their country out of fear of a U.S. military strike," Syafi'i told The Jakarta Post.

"Our solidarity should be addressed to those who are suffering by sending them food, medicine, nurses and doctors," he said, adding that the aid was more important than jihad forces.

Syafi'i also called on all Muslim groups to stop unlawful activities, such as conducting searches for foreigners, as it could worsen the image of Indonesia in the eyes of the international community.

He called on the United States to reconsider its plan to attack Afghanistan as it could spark a violent reaction from Islamic nations.

Syafi'i said that he had met with ambassadors of the U.S., Britain and Canada. Syafi'i said he had told them during the meeting that attacking Afghanistan without showing any evidence of Osama's involvement would cause new problems.

"We have all agreed to combat terrorism, but not in attacking a country like Afghanistan as it could cause serious humanitarian problems," he added.

Salahuddin Wahid, an executive of the largest Islamic organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), called for Indonesians to show their solidarity by addressing the real issues.

He said support for Afghans could be shown by sending food and clothes, and not by registering to become part of a jihad force.

"I don't think we have the capability of sending persons to Afghanistan. To go there, we need money and we should also have skills to fight in a war zone," he said, adding that their presence may cause problems for the Afghans.

"Although we also have problems with refugees at home, there is nothing wrong with also helping them (the Afghans)," Salahuddin said.

Chairman of the militant Indonesian Islamic Youth Movement (GPII) Askodar said actions aimed at preventing a U.S. strike on Afghanistan must continue, but Indonesian Muslims must not ignore the fate of displaced people.

"There is something more significant which deserves our attention rather than only holding protests against the U.S.," said Askodar, adding that his organization, together with several others, had sent aid to refugees there. He declined to say what that aid was.

Askodar, whose organization has been actively involved in anti-U.S. demonstrations, also said they were ready to shelter any Afghan refugees that come to Indonesia.