LAKSAMANA.Net, March 26, 2003 11:43 PM
Muslim Council Calls For Financial Jihad
Laksamana.Net - The Indonesian Ulemas Association (MUI) has urged the nation’s
Muslims to wage a financial, rather than a physical, jihad (holy war) to help Iraq in its
struggle against US-led military invaders.
"Jihad is not always manifested in physical actions but could also be expressed
through financial contributions," MUI chairman Umar Shihab was quoted as saying
Wednesday (26/3/03) by state news agency Antara.
He made the statement after attending a meeting between Foreign Minister Hassan
Wirajuda and representatives of different religious groups, as well as leaders of
universities, political parties and community groups.
Among the religious leaders attending the meeting were Abdul Wahid from the
Nahdlatul Ulama Muslim organization, Goodwill Zubir from the Muhammadiyah
Muslim organization, Nathan Setiabudi from the Indonesian Community of Churches
(PGI), Ismartono from the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI), Siti Hartati
Murdaya from the Indonesian Buddhist Council (Walubi), and I Nyoman Suwandah
from the Indonesian Hindu Dharma Association (PDHI).
Shihab said it would be better for Indonesian Muslims to help Iraq by making financial
donations, rather than joining the war.
Jakarta State Islamic University (UIN) rector Azyumardi Azra concurred that the best
form of jihad at present is to provide humanitarian aid, such as food and medicine.
"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.
Last Sunday, over 400 Muslims in Jakarta registered to help Iraqi troops fight against
the US-led invasion. The registration was organized by the radical Islamic Defenders
Front (FPI) during an anti-war rally outside the US Embassy.
Although the Indonesian government has denounced the US-British invasion of Iraq as
an illegal act of aggression, it has rejected calls to deploy soldiers or Islamic
paramilitaries to help defend Saddam Hussein’s regime.
Wirajuda said the government welcomes any humanitarian aid from religious and
social organizations for the people of Iraq. "The government would not recommend the
sending of personnel for a jihad in that country," he added.
Thousands of Indonesians have expressed their opposition to the invasion of Iraq by
calling for a nationwide boycott of American products.
On Wednesday, about 3,000 people rallied in Cilacap, Central Java, urging the
government to sever relations with the US and demanding a complete boycott of US
goods. Similar rallies were held in Semarang, Central Java; Surabaya, East Java;
Jakarta; and in the ancient temple city of Yogyakarta.
The Yogyakarta protesters pasted signs reading "stop consuming US products" and
"profits from US products are killing people" on the windows of two Kentucky Fried
Chicken restaurants.
In Surabaya, members of the Indonesian Muslim Students Action Front (KAMMI)
denounced the Iraq war and hurled tomatoes at the US Consulate, which has been
closed since last week.
In Jakarta, student protesters threw eggs at the American Express building on Jalan
Rasuna Said in South Jakarta.
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