Letter: Sharia society?

It is very enlightening to read these words directly from an activist (JI crown prince Abdul Rohim sees violent jihad as inevitable, the Post, Aug. 11): Much more so than reading books of academic debate and editorial opinion.

Rohim comes over as an articulate man who has deep convictions. Thank you for publishing this.

Having said that, the content reveals the extent of the chasm that exists between, on the one hand, those who would like to see their religion strong, self-confident and part of a thriving multi-faith and multi-cultural society; and on the other hand the puritans, like Rohim, who reject democracy and Pancasila, and would have their religion completely dominate society, politics and law enforcement.

I would like to ask Rohim, if he looks around the world today, which society would he wish Indonesia to follow most closely as its model?

Also, is his organization’s objective to create a geographically limited sharia society for their followers who wish to join, leaving the rest of us alone; or is the objective to subject the entire country and its population to sharia law?

James A.
Tangerang, Banten