'Why didn't FPI accuse parties?'

'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