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strong>Oct. 11, Online

Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali says that Islam in Indonesia has helped the country promote democracy and has had no relation with fundamentalism.

Suryadharma said on Tuesday, as quoted by kompas.com, that even though Islam was not the country’s ideology, it influenced the state through the principles of tolerance and peace.

He also said that Islam in Indonesia accommodated pluralist practices among the country’s population.

“Islam in Indonesia is a blessing for all creation. That is what makes it unique,” he said on the sidelines of the Annual Conference on Islamic Studies XI, in Pangkalpinang.

Suryadharma said that discrimination was not part of the religion’s principles. Islam supported justice, safety and protection for all, he added.

“We will continue to campaign for a friendly and tolerant Islam to help Indonesia become a better nation,” he said.

Your comments:

Unfortunately there are several Islamic groups that don’t see it that way.

Irmasanthi
The Hague

There’s no doubt Islam promotes democracy in Indonesia, since Prophet Muhammad himself said that differences are a blessing to all mankind. A hadith once recorded that Muhammad invited a Christian to pray in his mosque since there were no other suitable places nearby. This is just a small example but it shows how pluralism, as part of democracy, is based on tolerance and mutual respect.

The late Gus Dur, a prominent Muslim leader, often stressed the importance of democracy for the betterment of social life and inter-religious relations in Indonesia.

Guntur Sustyo Aji
Jakarta

Simply look around the Islamic world if you want to find a democratic style of government.

Of course, there are those who have stolen the word “democracy” and use it as if there was a strong parallel only with Western democracies.

Western leaders love to believe that. Third World countries are adopting democracy, and tout this apparent fact as evidence of their superiority.

Maurice g.
Sanur, Bali

You said Islam in Indonesia accommodated pluralist practices among the country’s population. Hmm, I don’t think so.

If your statement is true, why does violence and discrimination toward minority religions still occur, even among Muslims themselves, like the Ahmadiyah.

Dian Jiwa
Jakarta

Islam definitely doesn’t teach terrorism and violence, but it teaches charity, love, and praying to one God.

Lini Anisfatus Sholihah
Jakarta