'Why didn't FPI accuse parties?'

Popular rock group Dewa has been reported to city police by a number of Muslim organizations led by the Islamic Defender Front (FPI) for using the Arabic script of Allah on the cover of its Laskar Cinta (Love Militia) album. FPI accused Dewa of blasphemy and demanded an apology. The Jakarta Post interviewed residents here to get their comments on the issue.

Mala, 24, is a student of the University of Indonesia in Depok, West Java. She lives with her parents in Ciputat, South Jakarta.

I think FPI has gone too far in accusing Dewa of insulting and exploiting Islamic symbols. I also wonder why the group didn't say anything when political parties exploited Islamic symbols for their own benefit in the elections. Why does FPI treat Dewa differently?

I am a Muslim, but I'm not a fan of Dewa. I see reasons behind why Dewa chose that kind of cover. I think Dewa wants to introduce Islamic symbols to a wider public. Not many people know about such Islamic art writing.

For instance, previously I didn't know anything about such symbols. With the dispute, I am interested in learning about Islamic writing. So, Dewa actually introduces Islamic symbol to the public. Why can't FPI see it this way?

Tri Budiarti, 29, is a secretary for a foreign company in Central Jakarta. She lives with her parents in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta.

I am suspicious that the conflict is being deliberately created by both Dewa and FPI in order to boost Dewa's popularity, which has dropped lately, or to increase the sales of Dewa's latest album. Also, FPI can look good name by showing to Muslims that they are the true defenders of Islam once again.

What I see is that many people have started looking for the album since the dispute emerged several days ago, just to know about the songs and see the cover. Even people who are not fans of Dewa are now talking about the album.

If this is the case, I urge both of them to stop trying to fool the public. I suggest that Dewa creates a better album so that they don't have to use such tactics to boost sales of their albums. --The Jakarta Post