Forum: Book that irks Muslims

Tue, 09/30/2008 10:14 AM | Reader's Forum

Just to share with you an opinion from Serbian Government which shows that acts of individuals are by no means to be taken as acts of entire society.Government of Serbia regrets that with the publishing of the book Jewel of Medina for commercial interests, religious feelings of Muslims are neglected and harmed.

The government of Serbia cannot interfere in independent publishing, because freedom of speech and expression of personal views is guaranteed by the constitution of Serbia - and are the foundation of every democratic society.

Therefore, a sense of personal responsibility among those who make decisions which can have long-term negative consequences is even more important."
MILOS
Belgrade

Woman slapped -- Sept. 17, p. 4

This happens over and over again because many military men feel they have the power to do whatever they want. Get over it losers, your power is weakening not because of political reasons but because you are no longer acting in the people's interest!

Citizens of Indonesia, stand up to their authority because they have not ever done anything good for this country. Just look at the 1998 riots with pictures of soldiers standing around while the mobs run amok! They were selling their services to the highest bidder and had no regard for the security of our country!
SUHENDRO
Jakarta

Ahmad Syafii Maarif -- Sept. 18, p. 24

For most of us, it is easier to simply follow our community, political and religious leaders without questioning their motives let alone whether or not their decisions are good, fair to all concerned and appropriate for our times.

Regretfully, we often neglect to use our God-given hearts and sound minds to make decisions. Syafii's journey was a long one. In the end he learned to use his God-given heart and mind, and he realized that anything that is not equitable to some of our fellow man cannot possibly be acceptable to God.

For centuries our forebears have known and practiced the noble philosophy of tepo seliro (reluctant to act, usually toward those of high status) - do unto others what you'd like others to do unto you.

In other words our preceding generations have been more than just and tolerant to others. They have respected the rights of our countrymen irrespective of their race, color and creed.
PAUL E. RANTAU
Singapore

I do agree with Syafii's opinion. It's just a matter of time for Islamic fundamentalism - or in Bassam Tibi's word- to perish.

But, do we know that the political agendas of those Islamists are not supported or even backed up by others? For years fundamentalist groups have been becoming sanctuaries for other religious and political interests.

The cases of Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, etc. give us clear examples of the politicization of religion. These political interests will strive for their shelter when religious fundamentalism is no longer available.

So, unless we seriously build and strengthen brotherly love and tolerance, the dismissal of fundamentalism does not automatically free our beloved country from any threat ofin diversity". The rapid growth of intellectuals among contemporary young Indonesian Muslims brings encouraging spheres for unity and democracy in Indonesia. Nevertheless, the emergence of a relatively new fundamentalist group in Indonesia gives us another interesting phenomenon for an inquiry.
SUSAN
Jakarta

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