R-E-S-P-E-C-T – That’s How Ramadhan Must Be, Mr. UK Ambassador!

Fascinated by the comments of Her Britannic Majesty’s Ambassador to Indonesia this week …

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In his first year celebrating the annual Muslim celebration of Idul Fitri in Indonesia, British Ambassador to Indonesia Moazzam Malik says he feels the traditions of joy for Muslims are not that different from those observed in his native UK.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/07/07/idul-fitri-tradition-in-ri-comparable-to-uk-envoy.html

As I prepare to go into town this beautiful Jakarta morning, I am looking forward to seeing the trappings of intolerance gone from fancy restos and humble eateries alike. 

I refer of course to those offensive curtains erected in their windows, to which I made reference very recently.

Big Mackistan? Ramadhan Lock-Out at McD Sarinah? 

 

Lukman

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Those who do not fast must respect those who fast and vice versa, Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin said…  http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/06/13/tolerance-and-mutual-respect-a-must-during-ramadhan-religious-affairs-minister.html

Lukman is of course correct,  echoing a similar sentiment I’ve often quoted, the words of the late President Gus Dur.

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‘If we fasting Muslims want respect, let us also respect those who aren’t fasting.’

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If somebody wants to go from pre-dawn to dusk without eating and drinking, and manages to do so, I respect his or her tenacity, and would not seek to interfere in such acts of self-denial.

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Equally, anyone, of any faith, who wishes to eat and/or drink during those hours should feel free to do so, unmolested by either IslamoNazi thugs like the FPI…

IslamoNazi Thugs Amok, Jakarta Cops Say ‘No Charges!’ 

… or by sectarian fanatics like those benighted local government regulators up there in darkest Serang, in Banten Province.   Bigot Goon-Squad Bullies Vendor – Decent Indonesians Open Hearts AND Wallets!

Lukman again – “During Ramadhan, the holy month, we must reinforce and strengthen our tolerance, not only among the Ukhuwah Islamiyah [Islamic brotherhood], but also the Ukhuwah Wathaniyah [brotherhood of the nation],” he told journalists at the State Palace.

I like Lukman.

Even when I disagree with him, he is such a refreshing improvement on his predecessor, Suryadharma Ali, a politician so beyond the ken of normal folk…

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White-shirt fuhrer Rizieq with Ali.

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…..that he was prepared to accept awards from those afore-mentioned IslamoNazis.  Good Indonesians Denounce ArchBigot Ali’s Latest Intolerant Outburst

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But it would be good if Lukman tried to be a little more pro-active. He could take a giant leap for fair play, tell his government colleagues to give up on kill-joy diktats which target those not abstaining from fun…

Ramadhan Begins! Sectarian Reminders Issued! 

 But even a small step would be progress of sorts, a ministerial exhortation to all the warungs, wartegs, restos and all eateries in Jakarta to remove those ridiculous pieces of cloth draped across their windows during Ramadhan.

They have two disadvantages.

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• First, you can’t watch girls go by if you are sitting within.

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Second, and arguably more compelling, the silly little sheets are a condescending insult to every fasting Muslim who passes the place.

Those draped windows mock their tenacity and suggest their commitment to self-denial is as flimsy as the cheap cotton of which the curtains are usually made.

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As if the sight or smell of sate kambing or nasi goreng would bring them to break their fast!

Rather they should welcome such temptations, which can demonstrate they’re above mundane distractions. 

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Back to Pak Malik. 

“There are a lot of Muslims in London, and even if we are not the majority, we observe traditions that are similar to those in Indonesia, such as pilgrimages to family graves, gathering with family for meals and silaturahmi,” Ambassador Malik said on Wednesday.

Yes, Your Excellency, those are nice traditions, worthy of respect, and yesterday I sent out quite a few SMSes wishing various friends ‘Selamat Idul Fitri,‘ the local equivalent of ‘Merry Christmas,’ with which, despite the ranting bigots’ manic antics…

IslamoNazi Christmas Warning – Don’t You Dare Disturb Us Bigots! 

…they greet me in December.

But there are other very different ‘traditions’ here, like sectarian sticky-beak raiding parties… 

Ramadan Raids In Righteous Indonesia – Oh Yeah? 

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…which are staged not only by the white-shirt hoods but by tax-funded civic militia and the constabulary, which need to be STAMPED OUT if Indonesia wants to show the world that it’s a better place to be than the shariah police states in the Middle East.  

It’s important that readers in Western nations should remember that their nations too face the intrusion of primitive intolerance.

We saw it in France this year…

IslamoNazi Intimidation…in Nice, France! 

 …and we’ve seen this vile phenomenon in London too, maybe not in Harrow, where Mr. Malik grew up, but most certainly in Tower Hamlets, and elsewhere in England.

Police ‘covered up’ violent campaign to turn London area ‘Islamic …

And what, may we ask, did Home Secretary Theresa May ever do about that?

Will Theresa May Countenance A Ban On Nobbly Knees? 

But then, she has some odd notions, hasn’t she?

Islamist Bigot – “Why Should the Majority Respect the Minority?”

“Why should the majority respect the minority?” Ali Badri Zaini, the head of the East Java chapter of the Islamic Dakwah Forum..

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“The minority should respect the majority. The minister is [talking] nonsense. The Islamic faithful in East Java will never do as he instructs.”

He said it was considered customary for all warung to at least close off their façade with a tarp so as not to tempt those who were fasting.

Wow!

Temptation!?!

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 Lukman

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This arrogant bigot is up in arms because Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman last week tweeted an appeal for MUTUAL tolerance. His words, on the need for mutual respect and understanding for those who were not fasting, echoed the late President Gus Dur.

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‘We Muslims should fast with respect for those not fasting.’ -A REAL Muslim scholar, the late President Gus Dur

Regardless of the specific fasting issue, it’s hard to see how anyone could respect such a rabid ranter as Ali Badri Zaini.

But he is only one of many enemies of tolerance here.

Jazuli Jawani, a legislator from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), said Lukman’s call for those who were fasting to respect those who were not was highly regrettable. 

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• Jazuli argued that it was only natural for those “carrying out the faith” to be granted greater respect than those who were not…

http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/ministers-call-mutual-respect-ramadan-elicits-conservative-backlash/

No it’s not. Those who are fasting only have to show a bit of self-discipline.

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Those who are not fasting risk the brutal intimidation we often feature here, meted out by fanatic savages like the IslamoNazi FPI.

And how dare any member of the PKS talk about any statement from anyone being highly regrettable – has Jazuli forgotten his party leader’s sickening ode to the mass-murder Osama Bin Laden? Written AFTER 9/11?

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Anis Matta

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 mass-murdering beast Bin Laden

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That’s regrettable!

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But we can dismiss Zainal and Jazuli as outlandish extremists, singing from the same song-sheet as the IslamoNazis…...non-Muslim citizens who aren’t fasting, Zainal added, should take care not to disturb the sanctity of Ramadan. Especially eating and drinking in front of others at places open to public view…      http://nasional.news.viva.co.id/news/read/638009/fpi-janji-tak-lakukan-sweeping-saat-ramadhan That’s another Zainal,  Zainal Abidin Petir, FPI Gauleiter in Central Java.

Nevertheless, the same triumphalist tripe has just emerged from the Deputy Governor of Jakarta echoes this intolerance –  Djarot Saiful Hidayat also urged restaurants to install curtains on their windows during Ramadhan in order to respect those who are fasting. –http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/06/15/jakarta-administration-and-residents-prepare-ramadhan.html

Respect again. Beause they’re fasting, everyone else has to hide behind a curtain? And bars have to be closed? Because fasters might be tempted?

What’s self-denial worth in moral merit, if there’s not a scent or sight of anything one’s supposed to be denying oneself?

And how contemptuous these Islamist extremists are, of those they purport to represent!

Not all Muslims fast, by any means – it’s up to them, after all – but of those who do, it bespeaks a commitment that they choose to make.

Not eating during daylight hours is no serious hardship, but going thirsty, in this climate, is no fun. Yet they undertake to do so, and a lot of them stick to it. I can admire such tenacity.

But it’s a personal choice. Their personal choice. It should not impinge on anyone else.  

Do bleating blow-hards like the Zainals really think that fasters will be subverted by the sight of me or anyone else sitting in my fave warteg having a plate of perkadel?

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Sure, if I held out my plate enticingly, like one of Odysseus’ sirens, urging some poor faster to share my delight.

Tempting then like that would be mean, but nobody does that.

If some fasters walk by a bar and – inexplicably! – choose to peer nosily into its dimly-lit interior, and catch sight of me with a cold Bintang? Is either Zainal seriously saying the devout will at once cast off their self-control and rush in to join me in a binge?

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• Sure, if I sent out some lightly-clad bar-girl, extolling the joys of a cool quaff on a torrid arvo.

Tempting them like that would be mean, but nobody’s going to do that.

The killjoys’ case is codswallop.

And they know it!

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Their only aim is to make minorities bow down. As Ali Badri Zainal, more honestly than the rest, indeed, puts it!

“Why Should the Majority Respect the Minority?”

But there’s always a silver lining in these stories, and in this one it’s an off-the-cuff remakr by one of Lukman’s critics, a legislator from ex-President SBY’s party.

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Khatibul Umam Wiranu, a member of the Democratic Party, accused Lukman of trying to curry popular support through the media through statements like his call for mutual respect. .

Which means that Khatibul, at least, perceives that’ popular support’ accrues to leaders who publicly espouse decency, and not to intolerant undesirables. 

 

 

 

Jokowi On Blasphemy Charge? Java Rhythm ‘Enflames’ Fanatics!

President Jokowi has quite lot to contend with these days, both home and abroad, and even gets criticism from our blog from time to time.

But a new clamour has arisen, from that ever-ready source of intolerance, the IslamoNazi FPI, the self-styled ‘Islam Defenders Front.’

They want him PROSECUTED for blasphemy!

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They’ve got their white-shirt knickers in a twist because last week’s State Palace celebration of the Islamic Ascension included Koranic readings in which the verses were recited with rhythms associated with Indonesia, rather than with Arabia.

Given that the State Palace is located in Jakarta, capital city of Indonesia, a naive observer might see nothing amiss with this.

Indeed, many observers, not at all naive, might raise a cheer, because it tends to be that minority of Muslims who pay much too much attention to backward Arab thnking who cause offence and disturbance.

The more Indonesianised any Islamic activities become, surely the better for all concerned.

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‘We Muslims should fast with respect for those not fasting.’

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The late President Gud Dur was a fine example of how to apply Islamic standards in a Javanese (i.e.tolerant and civilised) manner. 

Among those whose response suggests approval are that refreshing fellow, Lukman, about whom it would be uncharitable to say that he’s the best Minister of Religious Affairs since Suryadharma Ali.

Truth to tell, my cat would have been an improvement  on Ali.

•  Lukman

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In fact, Lukman is an admirable man, who seems to be a person of genuine good character and goodwill to all men.

Anyway, Lukman defended the use of Javanese rhythms at the palace, despite many who say such a manner of recitation is forbidden.

“The purpose of reading the Koran with Java style is to keep and maintain the tradition of the archipelago in spreading the teachings of Islam in this country,” said Lukman on his personal Twitter account.

http://utama.seruu.com/read/2015/05/20/249051/alquran-dibaca-dengan-langgam-jawa-fpi-tuntut-jokowi-lengser

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• Heck, we boring old Protestants started this same kind of enlivening reform centuries ago, getting Bibles printed in the vernacular instead of Latin, so common folk could read and decide for themselves how to interpret God’s Word, instead of relying on arrogant and often ignorant priests!  Many Islamic Scholars Are ‘Former Prisoners and Thugs!’ Gosh! If WE said that… 

Today, how many Indonesians can afford to study Arabic in school, even supposing they can afford to go to school at all?

Of couse, there are pesantren, the so-called ‘Islamic boarding schools,’ but while I’m prepared to concede that some of those are run by good people, a lot are NOT! Many are at best described as obscurantist!

Lukman Slams Pesantren Fanatics – Can One Brave Man Slay The Hydra? 

Others are much worse than that!

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But Indonesia has a way to go before that kind of progress is conceivable. Having prayers in Bahasa Indonesia? Or Bahasa Jawa or Bahasa Sunda? Read about the police investigation into Muhammad Yusman Roy for conducting Islamic ritual prayers (shalat) in two languages, Arabic and Indonesian.   http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2005/08/12/mui-fatwa-negates-freedom-religion-human-rights.html

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Let’s just be glad for now that the Javanese rhythm is getting support.

But not from some geezer called Saiful Islam Mubarak, who runs – yes, you guessed! – the Pesantren Tinggi Maqdis.

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He reckons this step challenges the character of the Koran. 

Lukman’s response is mild.

“That’s understandable because this is something new and gives rise to diverse views…This is purely my own proposal… something positive with positive goals…,” said Lukman.

BUT there’s no show without Punch!

Lukman’s opinion enflamed the FPI!

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•  Rizieq
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• Their frantic fanatic fuhrer, Habib Rizieq, modestly demanded that “the President and the Minister repent and ask forgiveness before God, and apologize to all Muslims.“

ALL Muslims?

Since when did this outlandish gang-leader speak for ALL Muslims?

Jokowi’s a Muslim, Lukman’s a Muslim, and Lukman consulted various ulama (‘scholars’) prior to the recital.  

But Rizieq’s having none of that archaic (and Javanese-style!) rubbish about respecting other’s views.

“If not, they must be processed with the blasphemy law and ousted from office because of insulting the Koran. Legally, insulting the Koran is apostasy. An apostate cannot lead Muslims!” 

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 The end of the world…

No more comment required!

Hats Off To Lukman! IslamoNazis Rant At Rational Valentine Comment

Lukman

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Hats off to Lukman, Minister of Religious Affairs in 90% Muslim Indonesia!

You know somebody’s said something sensible when he or she is condemned by the IslamoNazi FPI (self-styled ‘Defenders of Islam’) and today we have a splendid story in Merdeka.com – the Minister, Lukman Saifuddin, has expressed respect for those who celebrate Valentine’s Day.

I said only this week that Lukman was light years better than his predecessor.

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FPI Fuhrer Rizieq with former Minister Ali

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But that in itself could be seen as damning the man with faint praise, because Suryadharma Ali was an international embarrassment. He was not only bigoted but ludicrously so, with asinine declarations that sought to elevate his own uptight horror at the sight of women’s knees into a universal criterion.  Good Indonesians Denounce ArchBigot Ali’s Latest Intolerant Outburst

No, Lukman is not only an improvement but a breath of fresh air, all the more surprising, perhaps, in that he belongs to the PPP, a party noted for its ‘Islamic’ stance.

But the fresh air of tolerance is anathema to IslamoNazis. 

“Religion Minister, but doesn’t understand religious shariah,” shrilled FPI’s Twitter. http://www.merdeka.com/peristiwa/fpi-kecam-menag-lukman-saifuddin-karena-dukung-valentine.html

The white-shirt vigilante gang reckons Lukman shouldn’t make such comments before seeking and finding the facts of Valentine’s Day.

Which are?

According to their notorious Habib Rizieq, it’s a ‘Free Sex Day.’

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• His revelation may trigger a surge of visitors this evening to bars of ill-repute around Jakarta, but I fear they’ll be disappointed. I think what Rizieq means is that all those teens who exchange cards, flowers and chocolates will respond to such delights by going at it like demented rabbits.

Lukman, unsurprisingly, takes a more rational view. “I never celebrate Valentine’s Day, but I respect those who, in a nice way, do so.”  In other words, he thinks young people are capable of having fun without throwing themselves into orgiastic sex.

Habib is usually wrong but I went into town today (the rainy season had given way to lovely sunshine) and I kept an eye out for misuse of public parks, secluded doorways and alleys  – but alas, now I must report I was unable to spot, let alone join in, any untoward activity.  

End of the intolerants’ anti-Valentine uproar, till next year!

 

Government? Gotta ‘Communicate’ With Bigot Thugs Before Enforcing Law?

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Suppose a gang of violent robbers declared their total disregard for the law and proceeded to stage criminal assaults on innocent Jakarta citizens.

Should the police enforce the law or should a government minister announce that before action is taken against them, he wants to sit down with the muggers and explain to them that, er, actually mugging is a crime and they need to give it up?

Ridiculous question?

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I’d say so, and probably you would too.

• Lukman

• So what to make of Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman’s reported statement on the plight of persecuted Christians in West Java, denied access to their church for four years by bigot hoodlums, and a sectarian local mayor, in defiance of both Supreme Court and Ombudsman rulings.

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“The court decision is good, but needs to be communicated with the others [the groups that oppose it],”

For pity’s sake!

He imagines those louts are unaware they’re flouting the law?

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Bona

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Bona Sigalingging, an activist who has long campaigned for religious liberty, both for that church, GKI Yasmin, and for other oppressed minorities, says he met Lukman “three days ago, and he said that the state should not bow to the intolerant groups.”

But now we read Lukman may not wish to bow down, but is quite prepared to sit down, with fanatics like GARIS and FORKAMI, who have openly resorted to mayhem to stop the small Protestant congregation from exercising the clear constitutional right to enter their house of worship.

Bona reckons “it will take some time for the ruling of the Supreme Court and the recommendations of the Ombudsman to really be implemented.”
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/religious-affairs-minister-gives-embattled-bogor-church-new-hope/

Damn right it will, if Lukman seriously intends to waste time ‘communicating’ with vicious sectarians before telling the West Java Police to desist from their long failure to enforce the ruling of the country’s highest court.

West Java’s Persecuted Christians – Freedom Hopes Loom! 

 

West Java’s Persecuted Christians – Freedom Hopes Loom!

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Kompas reports that persecuted Christians here are hopeful at least one case may be resolved soon, with the imminent hand-over of power from President SBY to Jokowi, who has a significantly different track record on tolerance.

In Bogor, West Java, the Protestant GKI Yasmin congregation has been shamefully oppressed for years, denied access to their church, despite favourable rulings from both the Supreme Court and the National Ombudsman.

The local authorities, formerly under the fanatic Mayor Diani and currently under the so-called ‘moderate’ Mayor Bima, keep the house of worship sealed, and scenes of mayhem, with bussed in bigots from the GARIS lout outfit, whose leader recently declared himself the ISIS king-pin in Indonesia, have occurred.

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The cops have been reduced to the role of referees between peaceful Christians and thuggish hoodlums. No order given to enforce the high court ruling, they stand disgraced in the eyes of Indonesia and the world.

For several years now, Yasmin and other victimised minorities have worshipped on the street, in downtown Jakarta (where I sometimes join them) right across from the Presidential Palace, praying and pleading for President SBY to lift a finger for freedom of religion.

That head of state ends his term of office next month.

So hopes of justice are rekindled.

And now Presidential Advisory Council Member, Albert Hasibuana, who has been trying his best for the Christians, has been to see the Religion Minister, Lukman. He, Lukman, had recently said and done some things to offer hope, after he replaced the dismal intolerant Suryadharma Ali.

Morning In Indonesia? Ray of Hope for Liberty, As Jokowi Waits to Win! 

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 Lukman

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But alas,  Lukman gave only a short answer about the solution of the central government over the GKI Yasmin case. He was evasive about confirmation whether the government will soon implement the Supreme Court decision. 

http://nasional.kompas.com/read/2014/09/19/13474711/Soal.GKI.Yasmin.Pemerintah.Akan.Jalankan.Putusan.MA

Well, he probably won’t have long to reconsider his evasive answers.

 

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 Jokowi

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President-Elect Jokowi is due to announce a new Cabinet, and unless Lukman gets real on tolerance for Christians, we could be seeing a new Minister for Religious Affairs – although frankly such a Ministry must be an anachronism in a modern state like Indonesia, which guarantees the right to worship in its constitution.

Religion should be something people observe in their own time.

School prayers okay, as the great majority of parents want, but state intervention, especially state subsidies to fanatics like the MUI, which continues to issue fatuous fatwas…

Islamist ‘Scholars’ – “Don’t Complain if You’re Attacked!” 

… ought surely to be confined to ensuring all creeds are free to worship peacefully.

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Presidential Advisory Council Member, Albert Hasibuan

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Anyway, Albert is hopeful.

 

And so should we all be!