Ulemas urged to promote tolerance

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid called on the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) on Saturday to champion the spirit of tolerance and promote respect for pluralism.

Citing the Koran and examples set by Prophet Muhammad, the President said Islam deeply respected differences of religion, ethnics and views.

He also called on the leaders of other religions to promote harmony and mutual respect among different worshipers.

"The essence of religion is to allow different religions, different ethnics, different territory and institutions," Abdurrahman, himself a Muslim scholar, said in his speech closing the MUI's congress at the State Palace.

The President simultaneously opened a workshop on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) for ulemas from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Abdurrahman also told MUI leaders not to repeat the council's past mistake of allowing it to become a defender of the government.

MUI must be an independent institution, courageous enough to give honest assessments and if necessary, to criticize the government for the sake of the people, he said.

"MUI needs not be afraid. It must be open-minded and brave to make its own decisions," said Abdurrahman, who led Indonesia's Islamic organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), for 15 years until his election to the presidency in October.

Prior to becoming President, Abdurrahman repeatedly slammed MUI leaders for becoming the instruments of the authoritarian regime of former president Soeharto.

His stance damaged his ties with MUI acting chairman Ali Yafie, a highly respected ulema from NU. Ali quit the council not long after Abdurrahman's election as President.

"MUI must not hesitate to hold a view different from the government. It's just natural," Abdurrahman remarked.

MUI's congress has elected Sahal Mahfudz as its new chairman for the next five years.

Sahal, a close relative of the President, currently also serves as the chairman of Syuriah, NU's legislative body.

"Although he is a relative of mine, it won't affect my commitment to uphold the truth," Sahal said after the ceremony. (prb)