Ulemas urged to promote tolerance
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)