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)