Michael Setiawan, Jakarta
Some people claiming the name the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) forcefully closed food stalls in Central Jakarta and Bogor, West Java. Besides the food stalls, these people also destroyed some houses which were thought to be places of prostitution.
Surely, people will not really object to the closing of places of prostitution. However, the closing of food stalls is an intolerable action. In addition, this is not the first time that this kind of action has happened.
The reason these stalls were closed is because they sold food in the middle of the day during Ramadhan.
The stalls tried to respect those who were fasting by not showing the food they sold. The owners covered their stalls with a long strip of cloth so people could not see the food. We need to remember that not all Indonesians are Muslims and also not all Muslims can exercise their obligation to fast for several reasons, including health factors.
The food vendors are mostly Muslim as well. So, they knew what they were doing. What they did is not wrong since they did not ask or invite others to eat at their stalls. They had to open their stalls because of one simple reason: they need money to live. If the FPI closes their stalls, will the FPI give them money as compensation?
Tracking through the records, FPI is not a new organization. The movement has been in news often. What happened in Bogor several days ago is just one example. It is still fresh in our minds how they destroyed the office of the publisher of Playboy Indonesia. The group does not hesitate to use violence to achieve its purposes.
What is sad is that the police have done nothing to deal with this group. They have made some statements about taking strict action against any organization that uses violence. However, these organizations are still active.
The latest case in Bogor showed how powerless the police are. They just stood there and told the FPI members to stop without taking any action.
It was totally in contrast with what happened in Central Jakarta. Police in Jakarta took firm action against members of the same organization who attempted a similar raid. This is what the people want to see from the police.
People are tired of these organizations who feel they are free to do anything they like in the name of ethnicity or religion.
The police need to do more to stop this kind of behavior and ban these organizations from using violence because it is a crime. We cannot just keep quiet and pretend nothing is happening. Action must be taken.
No religion commands followers to use violence. We need to remember that our behavior and actions can be a picture of good or bad. Peace and happiness can be obtained without violence.
The writer is a student in the English Department at Atma Jaya University. He can be reached at michaelsetiawan@hotmail.com.
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