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Mathla'ul Anwar conveys commitment to plurality, education
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For peace and tolerance -- President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo (left), accompanied by Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, attends a discussion with religious leaders at the State Palace in Jakarta. (Tempo/-)
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ne of largest Muslim associations in Indonesia, Mathla'ul Anwar, has said it would continue to actively contribute to the protection of plurality, law enforcement, human rights and democracy in the country.
Mathla'ul Anwar chairman Ahmad Syadeli Karim said the organization was fully aware of the diversity of Islamic practices in Indonesia. Therefore, he said, Mathla’ul Anwar supported the government’s efforts to maintain harmony between the various faiths by giving followers of all religions equal space to observe their respective duties.
"We also support the government’s efforts to prevent the spread of radical movements in the country," said Ahmad after meeting with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo at the State Palace on Monday.
During the meeting, Ahmad also urged the government to take action against those who were either covertly or openly supporting communism. Referring to the Provisional People’s Consultative Assembly (MPRS) Law XXV/1966, he said that communism was still prohibited in Indonesia.
During the discussion, the Mathla’ul Anwar leader also raised concerns about continuing conflicts in the Middle East. He said Mathla'ul Anwar condemned Israeli atrocities against the Palestinian people, adding that it was not merely a religious conflict, but a social conflict triggered by the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
"Mathla'ul Anwar urges the government to take action to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Given the fact that Indonesia is a country with the largest Muslim population in the world, it is also mandated by the 1945 Constitution that Indonesia must participate in eliminating occupations and maintaining world peace," he explained.
Ahmad said that Mathla'ul Anwar, as one of the largest Islamic organizations in Indonesia, also wanted to reaffirm its commitment to advancing education, a strategy that could help improve the quality of life of the Indonesian people.
Ahmad said his organization expected President Jokowi to undertake all necessary preparations to ensure that Indonesia was ready to face the era of free competition heralded by the beginning of the ASEAN Economic Community.
"We also ask the government to prepare the infrastructure and supporting facilities we need to take advantage of our demographic bonus. Young generations should receive proper education and training, so they can take on positive roles in the development process," he said. (ebf)
