Jakarta (AsiaNews) – Another voice joins the chorus of Muslim academics, political leaders and members of the minority communities which oppose the project promoted by radical groups to introduce Islamic law to Indonesia. This time it is Kia Haj Hasyim Muzadi, president of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the biggest Muslim organisation in the country.
The leader, a well known activist for inter-religious dialogue, defined the application of sharia as a “would be of course against Pancasila, [the state’s five basic principle carried in the Constitutions preamble]. He then promised that the NU would remain faithful to the “values of our founding fathers and the constitution”.
In Indonesia controversy over Islamic law and the institution of a caliphate came to fore following declarations made by the extremist leader, Abu Bakar Bashir. At a conference promoted by the fundamentalist group Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia, he said that “it is a grave error not to apply Islamic law”. “The Indonesian government – he continued – does not seem to understand much of Islam”. According to Bashir – considered by many to be the spiritual leader of the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiya – “Indonesia will continue to be manipulated by foreign powers until sharia is introduced”. Bahir’s declarations were immediately condemned by the vice Jusuf Kalla and ministers among them Minister for Internal Affairs, Mardiyanto, and Minister for Industries, Suryadharma Ali.
Some Indonesian provinces have already adopted Islamic inspired laws, if only for Muslims. But the tendency is on the rise and minorities are voicing their concern. Fr. Benny Susetyo Pr, of the Indonesian Bishops Conference commission for inter-religious dialogue, has asked for these norms to be “cancelled” and has invited the government to “vigorously promote the 1945 Constitution and Pancasila”.