Issues of the day: We are here to stay, say FPI

Feb. 15, Online

In the face of many calls to freeze the activities of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), the hard-line group remained firm that they were here to stay.

Al-Habib Mushin Ahmad Alattas, the FPI’s campaign and interfaith relations chief, said that calls to disband the group were irrational.

“We don’t have to evaluate anything, because all the calls to disband us are nonsense. They don’t have any right to dissolve us,” he said as quoted by kompas.com on Wednesday.

Alattas was one of the 17 people grouped under the Islamic Umat Forum who complained to House of Representatives’ Commission III overseeing legal affairs and laws, human rights and security about the recent rejection of four FPI senior leaders by residents of Central Kalimantan.

Around 800 protesters, mostly from the Dayak ethnic group, staged a rally on Feb. 11 at Tjilik Riwut Airport in Palangkaraya to block the FPI leaders’ arrival. The rally inspired 100 people, uniting under the banner of “Indonesia-without-the-FPI”, to stage a rally in Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon, demanding the government disband the FPI.

Your comments:

If truly devout Muslims, out of misplaced fear, do not choose to act decisively to condemn the actions of the FPI and to disband it, then they are responsible, and will be the cause of increasing ill-will against Islam, which calls itself “The Religion of Peace”.

Ultimately, at the time they stand before Allah’s Throne, they will be held responsible by Him.

Tami Koestomo
Bogor, West Java

All religions are basically peaceful in their beliefs and there is nothing in Islam that allows for groups of thugs, terrorists and extortionists like the FPI to exist. Radical groups are a danger to the country and they should be dissolved immediately by the government.

Walter John Gomm
Denpasar

Once the FPI starts learning to accept the fact that other religions and beliefs are just as valid as their beliefs, then, and only then, will other people start accepting them. Until that happens, the Dayak people and all the other ethic groups should be able to protect their way of life.

David Watkins
Orange County, The US

Indonesia is suffering from heavy toxins. The FPI wants to clear Indonesia of these toxins. What is wrong with that?

Agokye
Jakarta

Hopefully wong Solo/ Surakarta (the people of Solo) are peace loving people and as intelligent as The Dayaknese of Palangkaraya.

Widya
Bergen, Norway

The whole nation would be behind you SBY if you would take firm action against these criminals.

Reza
Jakarta