Indonesian clerics want rules for Facebook

Indra Harsaputra and Niniek Karmini ,  Associated Press   |  Thu, 05/21/2009 2:52 PM  |  National

Muslim clerics are seeking ways to regulate online behavior in Indonesia, saying the exploding popularity of social networking sites like Facebook could encourage illicit sex.

Around 700 clerics, or imams, gathered in the world's most populous Muslim nation on Thursday were considering guidelines forbidding their followers from going online to flirt or engage in practices they believe could encourage extramarital affairs.

Facebook says Indonesia, a nation of 235 million, was its fastest-growing country in Southeast Asia in 2008, with a 645 percent increase to 831,000 users - outpacing China and India. And with less than 0.5 percent of Indonesia's citizens wired, there is a huge potential for growth.

"The clerics think it is necessary to set an edict on virtual networking, because this online relationship could lead to lust, which is forbidden in Islam," said Nabil Haroen, a spokesman for the Lirboyo Islamic boarding school, which is hosting the event.

Though followers could still be members of the networking site, guidelines dealing with surfing the Web and Islamic values are urgently needed, he said.

Facebook officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ninety percent of Indonesians are Muslim, though most practice a moderate form of the faith.

An edict by the clerics would not have any legal weight. But it could be endorsed by the influential Indonesian Ulema Council, which recently issued rulings against smoking and yoga. Most devout Muslims adhere to the council's rulings because ignoring a fatwa, or religious decree, is considered a sin.

Amidan, who heads the Ulema Council, said the growing number of Facebook users in Indonesia was a controversial subject among Muslim leaders and that he favored a ban because of possible sexual content.

"People using Facebook can be driven to engage in distasteful, pornographic chatting," said Amidan, who was monitoring the two-day conference in the town of Kediri, in eastern Java.

Many clerics are concerned that "inappropriate content" on Facebook could be accessed by children, said Amidan, who, like many Indonesians, goes by a single name.

Facebook is the top ranked site in Indonesia, ahead of search engines Yahoo and Google, according Alexa.com, which tracks Internet traffic. Nearly 4 percent of all Facebook visitors are from Indonesia, making it the largest source of visitors after the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Italy.
 
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Sarah (not verified) — Sun, 05/24/2009 - 1:02am

I met my long lost ex classmates on facebook. I use it for networking and friendship without any intention of flirting whatsoever.I'm wondering why those clerics think only facebook can cause lust,extramarital affairs? Hey you moron..there are so many similar sites out there. why did you pick on facebook? It depends on the person. If he wants to flirt, he can find many ways to do it. So..next time before you guys make a statement,think about it.Don't blurt it out and show your stupidity.

Johnny Cool (not verified) — Sat, 05/23/2009 - 8:03pm

Grow up, Ulema Council. This is the 21st Century.
Why don't you start your own Facebook website?

There is an old saying:
"If you can't beat them, join them..."

You might do more good spreading your warnings that way, as opposed to acting like religious dictators. Nobody likes dictators.

Amidan (not verified) — Sat, 05/23/2009 - 7:48pm

FINALLY! So right they are!
It's atrocious. All these new electronics, communication, telephones, mobile phones! Email! Computers! Internet!
The world lived well for thousands of years without all these new technologies!
Indonesia's modern population is blinded by technology.

WAKE UP INDONESIANS!
Denounce the dangers of technology. Remember the real values of life:
Go back to the peaceful village life of the golden days.
Buy candles and live like our forefathers.
Time to destroy your computer, cut the telephone line, burn your mobile phone and cancel your PLN contract.

Oh, and please stop washing your hands also. Nobody did that 2000 years ago.

David K. — Sat, 05/23/2009 - 11:17am

To answer Andrew : In actuallity these clerics would like thier followers to be children forever. The reason for that is they want to be needed forever, and the concept of free will and having your own mind is sacreligious in thier eyes.

This isn't limited to Islamic clerics, as the priesthood of every religion tries to prop itself in importance by trying to provide the illusion of indespensability. Although Islam at this moment in time is the only one succeeding at it rather then other religions. With more success in what the world terms as moderate Islamic nations like Indonesia and what is termed as more hardcore as Malaysia and the middle east. Well the middle east is a lost cause, although Indonesia if it can shake the yolk of oppression by the faith of islam would be a great nation. (please note that when i say oppression by the islamic faith I mean the imposing of religious beliefs by a group of individuals upon people of the same faith and people of different faiths and having faith in Islam is your own situation as long as it doesn't bother other people).

I love how Clerics/imams are always talking about protecting the children, and inappropriate activities, when the fact is they allow thier own associates to marry 9 year olds, which I don't know is pretty inappropriate to me but for them perhaps a child is 2 years old to 8 year old.

The Christian have a great saying, "He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her."

I wish there was a better system of approving Imams who were not hellbent on destroying any progress and would rather have all of us illiterate, poor, with no concept of modern technology (the perfect follower for imams). It almost seems a destructive more subtle form of terrorism on the progression of Indonesia Economy and wellbeing.
Now for a general theme :

Rudi1w — Sat, 05/23/2009 - 7:05am

Once again, Indonesia puts itself negatively in the spotlight. After the controversial and ridiculous pornography law, now the Indonesian Muslim clerics think it is necessary to set an edict on virtual networking. According to them it could lead to lust, which is ‘haram’ in Islam. Why not mind your own business ‘bapak bapak Haji’ and stay out of the lives of the modern and open minded Muslims? Be aware that the hypocrites will use the Friday prayers to promote their stance and seek support for it! Maybe it is time to set up a Muslim state somewhere on a deserted island in the middle of the ocean, where all those who can’t accept today’s things, live the way our prophet used to live!

Lady (not verified) — Sat, 05/23/2009 - 3:35am

if they want to do that, why don't banned internet, television, radio,books,magazine or any form of mass communication. that is the same thing. they are taking our rights to make our own decision. parents to avoid porn on tv or internet there are many software that can do that. why making such a big issue about it and claiming porn will give such a negative impact on a person psychology. if non educated narrow minded person make big decision on regulation, Thats what you get. there will be no progress on knowledge or improvement. why don't go back to prehistoric ages, probably that will match with the way they think. they focus on banning the facebook and not focusing on educating society on making better choices.

JT (not verified) — Sat, 05/23/2009 - 2:31am

Who do they think they are? I agree totally with Andrew 2410....
Plus I have some addition...since they are treating the "younger" generation like kids...the clerics "older" generation probably have treated them the same way!!

So in logic, it means...they are still KIDS drunk with "power to influence" drunk with their "status as a cleric" ..... what a bunch of sore losers...
and I agree with Major_Bob....I bet they are thinking about sex all the time...or else how in the world would they come into that stupid conclusion?

I would like to see a debate between "them" and people who think like us...and air it around the world...it could be a great source of entertainment seeing them trip at their own words!

Unbelievable....they r just like NAZIs, but instead they use religion and their own justification to "control" other believers.

David, Jakarta (not verified) — Fri, 05/22/2009 - 6:52pm

I love the bit about how people could be 'driven to engage in distasteful pornographic chatting' by social networking sites. Are these old men seriously suggesting that their coreligionists are so lacking in moral judgement of their own?

'Pornographic' chatting is equally possible on both mobile and land-line telephones, email, and messenger services. Most people don't fill their time with it because they have better judgement, moral standards, and more pressing matters to attend to. Perhaps the ulema themselves have far too much time on their hands and might be better employed raising fatwa against corruption and intolerance.

Denni hooping (not verified) — Fri, 05/22/2009 - 5:25pm

It would seem that a lot of these guys who go banging on about sex all the time are incredibly immature and simply drawing on their limited personal experience and basing opinions on their own inability to keep their urges in their pants. They are simply not able to grasp the fact that most mature adults have the ability to love and cherish one partner in a monogamous relationship, and do not have a need to be constantly looking for a second, third, or more additional partners/wife’s to simply satisfy their childlike lust. Do they have any idea about real love between a man and a woman? Most certainly they have very little respect for woman and see them as purely a vessel for mans needs. They should just keep out of other peoples lives altogether.

Andrew2410 — Fri, 05/22/2009 - 3:09pm

If the clerics end up banning facebook, it shows their true attitude towards their followers. They are treating them like small children instead of adults with minds of their own.
For example, I have a small child. I “ban” him from handling sharp knives because he could hurt himself and others. This is because he is too young to act responsibly while holding a sharp knife.
However in a few years, I will teach him to use it for constructive purposes. For example, working around the house, or preparing food. If I ban him for ever, he will remain a child forever, and will need his father to instruct him on everything, instead of becoming an adult and making his own life - choices between right and wrong.
Do these clerics want their followers to be children for ever?
I admit that coming from a non-Islamic background; I may not understand the situation entirely. If so, I would welcome and insights into what they are trying to achieve.
Andrew

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