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View all search results[COMMENTARY] What if Macron asked Jokowi about the Sulawesi massacre?
After the butchering of four members of a Christian family in Central Sulawesi last Friday, I wonder if Macron will call on Jokowi to offer his condolences and decry the barbaric acts.
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Crime scene investigation: Central Sulawesi Police chief Insp. Gen. Abdul Rakhman Baso (second right) inspects a crime scene in Lembantongoa village, Sigi regency, Central Sulawesi, on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, one day after suspected members of the East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) terrorist group killed four local people. The police and military are hunting down the perpetrators of the alleged terror attack. (Courtesy of Sigi Police/Antara)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo condemned French President Emmanuel Macron’s controversial remarks on Islam on Oct. 31, joining the chorus of denunciation from the Islamic world against the French leader. After the butchering of four members of a Christian family in Central Sulawesi last Friday, I wonder if Macron will call on Jokowi to offer his condolences and decry the barbaric acts. The East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) terrorist group reportedly beheaded two members of the Salvation Army church and burned two others to death, and set fire to six houses, including one which used to be used for worship, in the Central Sulawesi regency of Sigi.
Let us be clear, I am an Indonesian Catholic who can understand the anger of Muslims across the world upon hearing Macron defend in the name of freedom of expression the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. A teacher was beheaded after showing such a cartoon to his students in a class and Macron called him a hero.
Imagine if Macron a month later were to take the opportunity to reciprocate Jokowi’s preaching by sharing his views about the killing in Central Sulawesi by a group of people who misused religion to justify their acts.
Are we ready to accept Macron or other people’s thoughts, if not criticism, about us?
We Indonesians are often easily upset when other nations or people criticize or say something harsh or negative about us. We are angry when foreign protesters burn our Red and White flag during demonstrations abroad. We are outraged when foreigners brand us a corrupt nation.
We often lose our composure when other people make fun of our religions, while some of us insult other religions at will in foul terms. Those people do not care about the feelings of followers of religions they despise.
Can you imagine how Jokowi would react if Macron phoned him and told his Indonesian counterpart about what is going on now in France, and tried to ascertain what is going on in Indonesia following the Sigi killings. It is not impossible that Macron would contact Jokowi to condemn the inhumane act of a group who kill fellow humans in the name of God.
