Vatican City (Fides Service) - Indonesia, with its population of 220 million 90% Muslim, is a key country on the chessboard of south east Asia. It is a country which over the past few years has struggled with social and political upheaval, secessionist tension, inter-religious violence and conflict and, more recently, international terrorism with the bloody Bali bombing. Nevertheless in this complex society which observers say risks Balkanisation, co-existence is possible. This is affirmed by a group of eminent religious leaders, Muslim, Christian, Hindu and Buddhist who have formed a National Moral Movement NMM to promote common ethical code for Indonesia, bear witness to harmony among believers of different faiths and show the role that believers can play in building peace and reconciliation.
The NMM was started by the leaders of the main Muslim organisations in Indonesia, Hasyim Muzadi head of Nadhlatul Ulama and Syafii head of Mujammadiah. Other members of the Movement include Muslim intellectual Nurcholish Madjid, Protestant leader Rev. Nathan Setiabidu, Hindu leader Nyoman Suwandha, Buddhist monk Venerable Supeno Alidjurnawan and, representing the Catholic community in Indonesia, Cardinal Julius Darmaatmadja Archbishop of Jakarta. It was precisely Cardinal Darmaatmadja who was chosen to be spokesman for the forum delegation visiting the Vatican today 20 February. Fides Service spoke with the delegation.
"Our forum wishes to emphasise that religion is often used for the personal interests and goals of other people who sacrifice the quality and nature of religion which stands for peace, solidarity and human development - said Cardinal Daraatmadja. Today we feel it is our duty to speak out and say that if there should be a war with Iraq some might call it a conflict between Christians and Muslims. However, the conflict with Iraq is not a war about religion. This is why we support Pope John Paul II who has said that war is always a defeat for humanity and it brings only destruction of life, culture, solidarity and human respect."
"We leaders of different religions have come together to ensure that peace and solidarity will become the ethic code of Indonesia and of the whole world. We will voice to the Pope our full support to prevent this war" said Hasyim Muzadi, while Muslim intellectual Nurcholish Madjid expressed concern that the "conflict may be interpreted as a war of religion with the consequent spread of fundamentalist violence in Indonesia and all over the world."
"We are convinced that the United States, today the only super-power after the fall of communism, must give the world a demonstration of global wisdom, doing everything possible to defend and save humanity" said Syafii Maarif, leader of Mujammadiah, "in keeping with the resolutions of the United Nations, 1441 in particular" added Mr Widodo Sutiyo, Indonesian Ambassador to the Holy See, one of the organisers of the visit. "Our government - the Ambassador continued - is convinced that war will bring no benefit whatsoever to anyone, especially to Indonesia where most people are Muslims." Protestant pastor Nathan Setiabudi concluded: "I would also like to point out the uniqueness of our Movement which comes from Indonesia which is a secular country although it has the largest Muslim population in the world. In Indonesia religions are not only tolerated their followers also enjoy equal dignity and rights. Most Muslims in Indonesia are moderate and work for harmony. Our forum is a symbol of this spirit: we must join forces with all who are in favour of peace for humanity" PA (Fides Service 20/2/2003 EM lines 43 Words: 597)