RI's Muslims ask Taliban to release hostages

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Sat, 08/04/2007 12:37 PM

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia's two biggest Muslim organizations -- Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah -- have called for the immediate release of the South Korean hostages being held by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Muhammadiyah chairman Din Syamsuddin said he would ask the Taliban to release all 21 hostages.

""Muhammadiyah will send a letter through the Foreign Ministry, the Muslim organizations in Afghanistan and also to the South Korean government,"" Din said Wednesday after meeting with South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Lee Sun-jin at Muhammadiyah's Jakarta office.

Muhammadiyah is Indonesia's second biggest Islamic organization.

He said he would ask other Muslim organizations to urge the release of the hostages. Muhammadiyah, he added, strongly condemned the act of kidnapping and the killing of two members of the group.

""It is contradictory to the teachings of Islam and the universal principles of humanity,"" Din said.

In a separate event, NU chairman Hasyim Muzadi met three diplomats: Ambassador Lee, the Pakistani Ambassador Maj. Gen. (ret) Ali Baz and Sherzamin Kunary from the Afghanistan Embassy.

Hasyim said the NU would seek the help of Taliban clerics who had attended an NU event previously in Indonesia to release the hostages. However, Hasyim said he would not make any contact with the Taliban.

""We have no access to the Taliban, because it is difficult to track them. They are a movement, not an institution,"" Hasyim told detikcom on Wednesday.

He said the acts of the Taliban had no connection with religion or racial issues. ""Their action was purely for their interest and political power,"" he said.

Last month, the Taliban captured 23 South Koreans. Most of those remaining are said to be ill. (14)

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