Letter: Terrorism of thought

Tue, 06/10/2008 10:20 AM  |  Reader's Forum

Many people urged the government not to hesitate to take action, regardless whatever they claimed.

Basically, such violence is against the principles of Islam. Islam teaches people not to use violence or to force their beliefs on others.

Though much has been said, I sincerely hope that the government will uphold justice, protect its citizens and guarantee religious freedom, which is clearly stated in the Constitution.

We believe President SBY will take proper action to handle this case and also to maintain the country's international and domestic image as an aspiring democracy that respects human rights.

No element or group in this country has the right to dictate their views to others by means of violence or do whatever they want, taking the law into their own hands.

On the other hand, I also hope that leaders of various religions will hold regular dialogues to solve problems related to religious conflicts.

Such dialogues should reach the grassroots levels in order to create a mutual understanding and to help the country build a society where communities respect each other regardless of race, color or creed.

Since most religions are revealed through God's language, only God knows exactly what He meant. Therefore, no one can ignore the existence of other religions.

Moreover, our founding fathers built this country on the consensus of unity in diversity, which we have to uphold forever. We must maintain integration because, by design and by essence, our principles of unity in diversity are about differences.

Forcing others to accept certain values and justify violence in the name of religion should be seen as an evil, or what's called by Muhammad Said Asymawi, a great scholar from Egypt, a form of "terrorism of thought" and "violence against thought".

As a nation, it is clear we have much work to do when it comes to understanding what tolerance and respect entail. Let's get our act together to save this nation.

ARDUS DJEHAUT
Ruteng, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara

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