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em>May 8, p6

The Pew Research Center'€™s survey, entitled '€œThe World'€™s Muslims: Religion, Politics and Society'€ published last month, caused controversy in Indonesia, particularly the result that found 72 percent of Indonesian Muslims wanted sharia law.

Surely, Pew has much to explain on how 1,880 participants can represent over 200 million Muslims. Further explanation is needed about the questions posed to participants, including the chapter dedicated specifically to '€œWomen in Society'€.

First, regarding sharia law, the report tried to accommodate various interpretations of the law '€œin its broadest definition, [sharia] refers to the ethical principles set down in Islam'€™s holy book [the Koran] and examples of actions by the Prophet Muhammad'€.

Muslims have different definition of sharia and this varies depending on the country, participants'€™ social-economic status or their proximity to powerful ulema, who decide how the law is implemented. This is because sharia is loosely defined as a set of guidelines that regulate many things from prayers to family inheritance to personal hygiene.

 (By Fitri Bintang Timur, Jakarta)

Your comments:

Islam is the first and only faith that provided full rights to women. It set rules for the protection of their dignity. Crime or certain misguided groups exist in each religion and culture.

In the UK, France, Germany and America, crimes such as rape, murder, theft and forced prostitution are committed every minute (refer to US crime data on the Internet).

Local militant groups are allowed to exist. Isn'€™t it better to live and let live?

Ahmed

Muslims feel obligated to support sharia law as it is considered God'€™s law. Saying no is like going against God. In practice though, most would not enjoy Saudi-style law enforcement.

Nate

I am curious about the full rights of women in Islam.

In Indonesia, where Islam has the right to push forward laws, you have screwed up laws that restrict women'€™s freedom.

In the Middle East there are even more repressive laws against women.

You state statistics, but please review the statistics on terrorist attacks, mob violence and intolerance.

Separate religion from the state, as religion is a private affair. Stop pushing Islamic laws on everyone else. If you want to live by them that'€™s awesome but stop pushing your religion on others.

Also, if the version of Islam of others isn'€™t exactly like yours (for example, like the Ahmadiyah and the Shia), leave them alone. If non-Muslims want to build churches,
let them.

Live and let live. That means my life is mine and your life is yours.

Deddy K.