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John
Paul, A Man Of Peace For RI: Muslim Leaders
HERA DIANI AND RENDI A. WITULAR,
THE JAKARTA POST,JAKARTA
Mourning the passing of Pope John Paul II, Muslim leaders
here on Sunday honored him as champion of freedom, saying
his constant message of peace encouraged harmony in the
predominantly Muslim nation often shaken by ethnic and religious
clashes.
Hasyim Muzadi and Syafii Maarif, leaders of the country’s
two largest Muslim organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and
Muhammadiyah, respectively, as well as prominent Islamic
scholar Azyumardi Azra, separately said the pope did a great
deal to promote religious tolerance around the world.
Also on Sunday, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono conveyed
his and the Indonesian people’s sadness over Pope John Paul
II’s death.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Indonesia,
I express my condolences on the passing of Pope John Paul
II. He was an outstanding man, with an impressive record
of promoting religious tolerance and interfaith dialog,”
he said before departing for an official visit to Australia.
Susilo said he would send a team of officials to the Vatican
to attend the pope’s funeral.
The team includes Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare
Alwi Shihab, Minister of Religion Maftuh Basyuni, Minister
of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Freddy Numberi -- a former
ambassador to Rome -- and Julius Cardinal Darmaatmadja.
“Islam has long taught religious tolerance. However, the
pope influenced the moral movement among religions in Indonesia,”
Syafii Maarif, who chairs the 30 million-member Muhammadiyah,
told The Jakarta Post.
“It is such a big loss for us. We hope his successor is
as dedicated to peace.”
Hasyim Muzadi, leader of the 40 million-strong NU, also
expressed sadness at the pope’s death.
“We ... certainly feel sorrow for the passing of the pope
because he dedicated his life to humanitarian and peace
efforts,” he was quoted by Reuters as saying.
Hasyim and Syafii met with Pope John Paul II in the Vatican
in February 2003, along with prominent Indonesian non-Muslim
leaders. The meeting was part of the international peace
movement against U.S. plans to invade Iraq.
The pope died on Saturday night in Vatican City (early Sunday
morning in Jakarta) after years of illness. He was 84 years
old.
After holding the papacy for 26 years, John Paul II’s passing
was mourned by millions of Roman Catholics around the world,
with tens of thousands of faithful gathered outside his
apartment in St. Peter’s Square.
The extensive coverage of the pope’s health over the last
several days, according to Islamic scholar Azyumardi, showed
the significance of the Catholic Church despite criticism
of its conservatism and the rise of liberalism and secularism.
“The strong hierarchy and an impressive record of peace
show the significance of the papacy as a moral strength,
especially in the conflict following the Sept. 11 tragedy,”
said the rector of Jakarta’s Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic
University.
He said the pope’s constant message of peace and tolerance
was especially relevant for a pluralistic society like Indonesia.
The pope, however, was often criticized by liberal Catholics
for his staunch opposition to abortion, homosexuality, contraception
and the ordination of women and married men.
Azyumardi said John Paul II was a symbol of control. “Progress
and liberalization and secularism are facts of life. But
there still has to be a limit. The pope was a reminder of
the limits of humanity,” he said.
However, he said all religious leaders had to be able to
accommodate the wishes of religious followers.
“The leaders should be able to formulate new ritual frameworks
to accommodate the wishes of followers, in the name of human
equality.” " (HD/RAW/JP/IM)
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