Other Publications
Hard-line clerics demand ban on Rotary, Lions clubs
The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Mon, 02/02/2009 4:06 PM | National
A group of hard-line clerics calling themselves the People's Ulema Forum (FUU) have demanded President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono ban the international charity and social organizations Rotary Club and Lions Club, claiming they are part of a Zionist movement.
The clerics said Yudhoyono should revoke former president Abdurahman Wahid's 2000 decree that allowed both clubs to operate in Indonesia again after they were banned by a presidential decree in 1962.
FUU chairman Atian Ali Muhammad Da'i told a press briefing in Bandung on Saturday that based on evidence they had gathered both clubs threatened Muslims in Indonesia because they are linked to Freemasonry, a parent organization of the Israeli Zionist Movement.
"The Rotary and Lions clubs are not social organizations but are part of the Freemasonry and Zionist movements, which could endanger us," he said to Antara.
Atian said many religious authorities around the world, including the Vatican, had banned their followers from joining both the Rotary and
Lions clubs since 1950, claiming both organizations threatened their beliefs.
The clerics warned Muslims not to become members of the organizations.
"If someone is currently a member of one of these groups, they should quit immediately," Atian said.
Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) deputy chairman Ma'ruf Amin said MUI must carry out a thorough investigation before issuing an edict or fatwa on the organizations.
"We have not received any complaints from the organizations yet. But if we do, we will investigate the issue in depth before making a decision," Ma'ruf, also an advisor to the President on religious affairs, told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.
He said the President would require an investigation before any blanket ban could be issued.
Raja Juli Antony, executive director of the Maarif Institute, said the calls for a ban on the Rotary and Lions Club were baseless as both organizations had helped many Indonesian youths continue their studies and assisted families in need.
"As far as I know, Rotary for example has seven centers globally that specifically assist young people from the developing world complete their studies, especially in conflict and resolution research," he said.
Raja said there was no evidence at all either organization was a threat to Muslims.
He said it was likely the call for a ban on these organizations was an overreaction to the recent Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
"This shows Indonesia still has a lot to learn about tolerance and pluralism. How we can suggest banning an organization that helps our people?" Raja said, adding the accusation would only drive foreigners away.
Raja said he hoped the government was sensible enough to ignore the demands and understand those views did not represent the majority of Muslims in Indonesian.
What's On
- Indonesia Furniture Fair
11/14/2009 11/22/2009 Jakarta Convention Center - Indonesia Maternity & Baby Expo 2009
11/20/2009 11/22/2009 Jakarta Convention Center
- Festival of India
10/29/2009 12/15/2009 Balai Kartini & Umar Ismail Hall, Jakarta
- Imagemakers of the Future: Photography exhibition
10/10/2009 11/30/2009 Alila Ubud Desa Melinggih Kelod Payangan, Gianyar 80572, Bali - Timeless Change
11/05/2009 12/07/2009 Ganesha Gallery, Four Seasons Hotel Jimbaran, Bali. - Choreography of Colours; Sardono W. Kusumo's first solo painting exhibition
11/12/2009 12/12/2009 vivi yip art room Annexe Ciputra World Marketing Gallery Jalan Prof Satrio Kav 11, Casablanca
Gerry LCOM (not verified) — Mon, 06/08/2009 - 5:27am
let it be known part of the Lions Clubs' ethics is that they don't discus partisan politics and religion.
The aim is to unite people of the world in serving their community,no matter what their believes are.
JohnCC (not verified) — Sun, 02/08/2009 - 12:15am
Rotary Club Indonesia has claimed its PolioPlus program to eradicate Polio in Indonesia as a success. Since launching the program, it has spent $13 million grant to provide polio immunization toward Indonesian children.
In Indonesia, the WHOs PolioPlus program well know as Pekan Imunisasi Nasional (PIN, National Immunization Week). It provides polio vaccine to million children under five years old.
Beside this, Rotary supports number of education programs, sponsors surgeries for poor children who cannot afford it etc.
What FUU did to help people?
Ian Foster (not verified) — Thu, 02/05/2009 - 6:53pm
Very few countries in our region demonstrate the tolerance, strength and confidence to permit dissent and criticism. In our region only Indonesia, New Zealand, Australia and India have recently had the courage to trust their own people to make real political choices - free from intimidation.
The sworn enemies of true democracy hate this and will do anything they can to whip up intercommunal, international and inter-faith hatreds. It is natural that they will then go on to target any open and tolerant organisation for their attacks as such service clubs put the lie to all their claims of all-knowing wisdom and monolithic national support.
As a school student over 40 years ago I was taught the motto of the young Indonesian Republic - Unity in Diversity. Long may it live on and guide your nation!
Ian
Canberra
Cracked-up Jakartan (not verified) — Tue, 02/03/2009 - 2:17pm
They are obviously making such ruckus to appeal to their own narrow-minded, overzealous, cherry-picking constituents who are as ignorant as they are. Unfortunately, there are still more than plenty elements in the society that would lap this up and applaud these people for being such "patriots."
Seriously, their position cracks me up. Banning Freemasonry because it "endangers" Muslim? Is the non-smoking fatwa still on? I think this guy has been smoking the really potent stuff.
Enzo (not verified) — Tue, 02/03/2009 - 8:16am
After yoga, smoking and voting, here comes yet another fatwa from those illuminated hard line clerics... "let's eliminate Rotary and Lions Club". It's easy to declare an edict from a pulpit. It's a lot harder to provide a solution. Is Islam so weak that its "leaders" find it necessary to control every Muslim's breath??? What happened to tolerance and pluralism?
Are they so blind as to not realize all the good that organizations such as Rotary and Lions do for children and adults alike. How many children have recovered their sight for free, had free surgery to correct disfiguring ailments, had free food put on their plates, had drinking water made available and so much more, thanks to such organizations... So, I ask: Besides issuing fatwas, what did THEY do??? I suggest we issue a fatwa to open their eyes to the good that foreigners can also bring to this country...
Ed (not verified) — Tue, 02/03/2009 - 4:59am
May I say, that these cleric's arguments are false? I have never heard the Vatican ban Rotary or similar organizations. These organizations are aimed at networking, and charity, not connected with religion. They are a treath to muslim extremists, yes, because they strive for a world in which people with different faith truly live together, as equals. They show that charity can be done by neutral organizations. They bring people from different backgrounds together. Their vitality shows that their concept is not " western" , but can be shared by people from many nationalities. They do not exclude Jews, that might be a difficult point for muslim extremists. They do not exclude Chinese either, or Balinese. But in fact: all extremists benefit from isolation, and by xenophobia. They try to trigger fear of people that are vulnerable. Islam is strong enough to be attractive in a world in which also other concepts are being perceived as attractive. If only by hatred and turning others away, Islam may prevail, then this might in fact be by making a deal with the devil. This extremism, and not Rotary, is the real enemy of the love of God.
Ed, Den Haag, Belanda