The Jakarta Post, 3/26/2003 8:55:40 PM
Muslim council recommends 'financial' jihad for Iraq
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) asked the country's Muslims
here on Wednesday to unleash a "financial", rather than a "physical", jihad for Iraq.
"Jihad is not always manifested through physical action, but can also be expressed
through financial contribution," its chairman, Umar Shihab, said after meeting with
foreign minister Hassan Wirajuda and leaders of different religious communities, as
well as university, party and community figures.
Umar Shihab said, as quoted by Antara, that rather than waging a jihad, it would be
better if Indonesian Muslims helped by contributing funds.
Meanwhile, rector of Jakarta's UIN Azyumardi Azra said that the best jihad for now
was to extend humanitarian aid supplies such as food and medicines.
"A jihad on an unfamiliar battlefield against enemies who have much more
sophisticated weapons is unbalanced and disproportionate. It is the same as suicide.
Under the principles of jihad, suicide is prohibited," he said.
Foreign minister Hassan Wirajuda, meanwhile, reiterated that the government
welcomed any humanitarian aid from various religious and social organizations for the
people of Iraq. "The government would not recommend the sending of personnel for a
jihad in that country," Hassan said.
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