Unrest 'engineered' to sow conflicts

Unrest 'engineered' to sow conflicts

JAKARTA (JP): Recent conflicts with religious overtones in the
country may have been engineered to drive a wedge between Muslims
and minority groups, an observer said on Sunday.

Alwi Shihab, a visiting professor at Harvard University's
Divinity School, raised alarm at what he believed was the
campaign of "certain parties" to develop conflicts between the
Muslim majority and other groups in society.

He called for open, frequent dialogs between religious
leaders, political leaders and the public in general.

"This dialog is what we're missing," he told the media before
addressing a breaking-the-fast held by the Indonesian Working
Forum in Gedung Juang of Menteng, Central Jakarta.

Shihab said Islam as well as other religions teach love, peace
and unity.

"Our country has enjoyed peaceful co-existence among the
various religions for quite some time... suddenly this chaotic
condition emerged," he said, referring to clashes in Ketapang,
West Jakarta, and in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, last month.

"Riots are easily sparked due to social ills such as the
prolonged crisis... People with empty stomachs easily panic...
they become irrational and are easily provoked, especially over
sensitive issues like religion."

The incidents, he said, were "shameful."

"We've seen too much bloodshed. From the pattern (of the
unrest)... I believe that certain parties are behind this. I
would not say who it is."

But they were usually a group in society who felt threatened
and tried to slow down the process of reform because they wanted
to stay in power, he said.

Shihab also warned people of the danger in using religious
symbols for political interests, especially for the coming
general election.

"There's a tendency for political parties to use religious
symbols to attract people's support... actually this is normal
because most of the people here still have poor knowledge of
politics.

"But this is very dangerous as those parties may later
manipulate the existence of certain labels for their own
interest," said Shihab, who is also a visiting professor of
Islamic studies and Christian-Moslem relations at Hartford
Seminary, also in the United States.

He cited an example of possible manipulation.

"For instance, the United Development Party (PPP) uses the
Kaaba as their symbol. It certainly represents Islamic
attributes... but is the party true to the spirit of Islam?"

"Because of the label, Muslim people would feel obligated to
vote for the party," he said, adding that there are no
restrictions in using religious labels.

But the next consequence is, "Once you use the label, you have
to be responsible for it. Are the people ready not to use
violence, avoid fanaticism and run a peaceful campaign?" he said.

Separately in Bali, a meeting among leaders of different
faiths called for unity among the people, Antara reported
Saturday. (edt)