SMS: Sharia bylaws

Tue, 09/02/2008 10:15 AM | Reader's Forum

Your opinions on the statement made by the newly elected head of the Constitutional Court, Moh. Mahfud M.D., that sharia bylaws contradict the Constitution and threaten national integrity.

Is it true that sharia infringes on human rights? If we talk about hijab or women's dress code (jilbab), isn't this Muslim women's identity so they want it to be legal?

People should do more research on sharia laws before talking about them. On the other hand, regional administrations which have issued sharia laws should prove to Mahfud, as head of the constitutional court, that sharia doesn't go against our human rights.

One thing I almost forgot, human rights in Indonesia refer to western standards, so it would be unfair to judge using them. Let the truth speak for itself.
ARDI
Jakarta

Finally, someone in the government has intelligence and sensibility. I admire his courage to stand up for what Pancasila is really all about.

Indonesia should focus on improving its education standards, to develop students/children with compassion, open-mindedness, world-awareness, logical and critical thinking.

Children are Indonesia's future. They may then go on to become responsible citizens and parents who guide their own children to be logical and critical thinkers.

These one-sided laws and regulations are set by narrow-minded members of older generations who are either appeasing the extremists to get their votes or falsely think that their religious ways are the only right ways -- which is discriminatory as Moh. Mahfud M.D. has rightfully recognized.
MARGE
Jakarta

It would be nice if these people who want to implement sharia bylaws first understood the sharia. Sharia under Islam is favorable to everyone, regardless of religion, ethnicity or social status.

With the way these so-called Muslims implement sharia, they make a sham of what sharia is all about. They need to go back and educate themselves about every part of Islam again. When I see and hear how some groups have applied sharia, my skin crawls.
AHMED M.
Jakarta

Mahfud is a wise man. Are there more of this kind of people in Indonesia? If yes, Indonesia will become a flourishing and prosperous country in the not-too-distant future.
A.P.H. MULDERS
Helden-Panningen, The Netherlands

I'd like to thank the new court head Moh. Mahfud M.D. for reminding us that before the law everybody is equal, whether part of the majority or minority. Minorities are not second class citizens and the government has to protect them.

Both majority and minority groups have to respect each other. Religion is a private domain. It's sad to see discriminatory signs saying, for example, "we have rooms to rent to adherents of a certain religion".

What would it happen if all owners did the same thing? Adherents of religion A would only live with those who follow the same religion. The same thing with religions B, C, D, etc. Obviously, we don't want this to happen, do we?
ADRIANUS MARULITUA
Yogyakarta

Referring to Lukman's comment to this issue (The Jakarta Post, Aug. 26), I would say that nobody hates Islam. It's the fanatics that try to force their religious ideology on others. They are worthy of hate because they destroy and kill others for their political aims. Islam teaches love, not hate.
SUHARTO
Tangerang, Banten

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