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October 21, 2005
Indonesia: Islamic Schools Will Not Be Restricted
Yesterday, we reported that Jusuf Kalla, the vice president of Indonesia had suggested that the naton's 17,000 islamic schools would be put under monitoring, as previous graduates of such schools had become terrorists.
The Jakarta Post today reports that Ichwan Syam, secretary-general of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) refuted media reports that the Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) would be limited in their activities.
"The Vice President has said that there are no plans at all by the government to limit the activities of pesantren as reported by the media." he said, after a meeting with Kalla. He reported Kalla's claim that only one or two had been extreme in their syllabus. Ichwan mentioned that Kalla had spoken of "brainwashing" of students, with claims that suicide is allowed in Islam for jihad.
"Such teachings have sown the seeds of terrorism. The MUI will support the government in educating the public that such an evil act (suicide) is against Islam," said Ichwan.
Kalla had also expressed concern that books written by Imam Samudra, a terrorist convicted of the 2002 Bali bombings, were being distributed in mosques and bookstores. The MUI in a press statement said it was to challenge Inspector Ganeral Ansjaad Mbia, head of the anti-terror desk at the office of the coordinating minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, about his media comment that 50% of Muslim preachers delevered sermons spreading hatred and hostility against other religious groups, at their Friday prayer sessions.
The deputy of MUI, Amidhan, said: "The statement has worried us, and undermines the honor of the preachers in front of their followers. This will eventually create hatred among Muslims."
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at October 21, 2005 9:32 AM
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