The comments made by Governor Fauzi Bowo (The Jakarta Post, Feb. 10)
about preventing attacks on Ahmadis are completely unacceptable from a
man in his position.
“Only God can decide what will happen next and God willing Jakarta will remain peaceful.”
He is Governor of Jakarta and his religious views should not be
expressed as public policy. But of course, as a Muslim, he can do no
other, despite the reality that he is Governor of a multi-faith city,
not all of whose citizens ascribe to his beliefs.
Presumably, following the Governor’s logic, the recent murder of Ahmadis
and the destruction of property by hired thugs was God’s will, because
it happened.
So the Governor expects me and others to believe that God is the author
of violence and mayhem if it is His will and His Muslim followers have
the right and indeed duty to carry out that will.
I don’t and won’t accept that because I don’t and won’t accept a verbal —
not a written — decision made by Islamic scholars in the 12th century
never to allow human reasoning to assist in understanding the Koran or
the ways of God.
Note, this decision was made centuries after the death of the Prophet
(blessings and Peace be upon him). It was never written down but was a
verbal edict and has since been in force and completely influences
Islamic self-understanding.
The “logic” of Governor Fauzi Bowo — it’s all up to the arbitrary will
of God — will form, for instance, the basis of governing a city and
protecting its people.
He needs to accept this because he is in fact an elected representative
of people who are not Muslim and he has an obligation to represent their
views as well. Unfortunately, the governor is not alone in this
mistaken outlook. Many elected officials in Indonesia forget that they
were elected by people who do not share their religious viewpoints.
Contrasted with this is the sober and realistic comment of Jakarta Police Chief Insp. Gen. Sutarman who says, “Religious interpretations of Ahmadiyah are not our problem. Our main concern is the public’s safety, because the Ahmadis were regular
citizens and deserved to be protected by the state regardless of their
beliefs.”
Thank God for this man and his attitude. He has separated his personal
beliefs from his duty as a servant of the people in a country that is
supposed to be a secular democracy.
Phillip Turnbull
South Tangerang, Banten
