'Change date of Awakening Day'

Sat, 05/17/2008 11:15 AM  |  National

MALANG, East Java: Noted Muslim scholar Ahmad Syafii Maarif has suggested Indonesia combine National Awakening Day celebrations with Youth Oath Day.

Syafii, a former Muhammadiyah chairman, said the birth of the Budi Utomo youth organization on May 20, 1908, observed as National Awakening Day, did not promote nationalism due to the group's apparent exclusivity.

The Youth Congress on Oct. 28, 1928, which has been commemorated with Youth Oath Day, is deemed as the beginning of Indonesian people's consciousness as a nation, according to him.

"The SBY-JK government should not hesitate to make this decision because the old decision was unhistoric," Syafii told a gathering to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the National Awakening Day here recently.

He was referring to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

Major attendants of the gathering included Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, Communication and Information Minister Muhammad Nuh, Judicial Commission chief Busyro Muqqodas, noted poet W.S. Rendra, politician Anas Urbaningrum, political analyst Kacung Maridjan and media group Jawa Pos owner Dahlan Iskan. -- JP

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