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[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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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.
The two leaders know each personally. They have met at least once a year during Group of 20 summits. Just check Google, and you will find they were photographed on the sidelines of the G20 summit last year.
Jokowi was very late to condemn the Sigi tragedy. He responded only after public outrage went viral on social media. Some questioned why Jokowi was so quick to criticize Macron, but was rather slow in denouncing Friday’s tragedy.
“Such a heinous crime was clearly aimed at provoking and at creating terror among the public to destroy national harmony [...] I once again emphasize that there is no place in our homeland for terrorism,” The Jakarta Post quoted the President as saying on Monday. He ordered the security forces to hunt down the terrorist group members and offered families of the victims financial compensation.
When responding to Macron’s remarks, Jokowi was accompanied by representatives of various religious organizations such Nahdladul Ulama (NU), Muhammadiyah, the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) and the Indonesian Bishops Conference (KWI). Jokowi said Macron’s statement was insulting and offensive to Muslims. “Freedom of expression should not be exercised in ways that tarnish the honor, sanctity and sacredness of religious values and symbols,” Jokowi said during a virtual press conference at the Presidential Palace on Oct. 31.
Jokowi also condemned the deadly attacks that took place in Paris and Nice. “Indonesia asks the world to promote unity and religious tolerance to build a better world.”
Jokowi said he deplored Macron for linking religion (Islam) with terrorism, calling it “a big mistake”. “Terrorism is terrorism. Terrorists are terrorists. Terrorism does not have any connection with any religion,” Jokowi said.
In fact, the perpetrators of terrorist acts can be followers of any faith.
In an interview with Al Jazeera TV, speaking in French, Macron reiterated that he was obliged by the French constitution to defend freedom of expression in France. Muslims around the world were outraged when Macron defended the act of a teacher who showed a cartoon that triggered bloody protests in France, to his students in October.
The publication of cartoons depicting Prophet Muhammad by satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in January 2015 has now claimed dozens of lives.
To be honest, as an outsider I could not understand at all why the French President strongly stood behind the cartoons for the sake of freedom of expression, while he knows very well that its implication would be devastating.
We all hope that the French president will listen to the anger of Muslims. Likewise, the outside world also needs to understand France’s situation from that nation’s perspective. If possible we need to look at the mirror and ask ourselves: Why did Macron say that?
Will Jokowi also open his mind when leaders of foreign countries condemn our country or his leadership?
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Senior editor at The Jakarta Post
