No Such Thing as Holy Killings

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Chairperson of the Nahdlatul Ulama, Said Aqil Siroj, says there is no such thing as a holy killing. He reasoned that violence in the name of religion cannot be justified. "There is no such thing as a holy killing," Said stated at PBNU office on Kramat Raya, on September 4. Said has said that the sanctity of a religion is to build a civilization by peaceful - not violent means. His statements come on the heels of the Sunni-Shia violence in Sampang, East Java, which has claimed two lives and left hundreds displaced. This is why he denounced terrorists and mass organizations seeking to establish sharia law by force. He is calling for people from all walks of life not to use the term holy war when referring to violent acts in the name of religion.According to Said, the majority of Muslims in Indonesia condemn violence but they are a silent majority. "Those who shout jihad are actually small in number but the media are magnifying them," explained Said. He urges the media to publish frequently peaceful Islam in Indonesia when worshiping.Said emphasizes that NU is enthusiastic to return to the khittah of August 17, 1945 that shows the country is built on the foundation of diversity. "Defending the homeland means defending Islam," Said put it plainly. NU was founded by Hasyim Asyari to keep peace with other Muslims, other cultures, religions, and communities of the world.Said deplores acts of violence against other religions or different tribes. "Especially when its merely over a different school of thought," said the Chair of the NU referring to the Sampang case.SUNDARI