Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali and Social Affairs Minister Salim Segaf Al-Jufri should keep their distance away from organizations such as the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI). Many controversies surround the organization, often associated with violence, when they attack places they deem sinful. Their actions obviously contradict with the Islamic principle of having compassion for one another.
The presence of these two ministers at the FPI’s third national meeting and 15th anniversary celebration last week showed how immensely tolerant the government is of the FPI. This also leads more to believe that the government has an ambiguous stance on the organization. In various occasions, the government asserted it has no tolerance for violence, yet it also has never taken any firm action against the FPI following acts of violence on another.
What raises concerns is that the FPI’s acts of violence have spread. It does not only cover locations or activities they believe are sinful, yet also the public in general. The FPI has clashed with the public on numerous occasions. Two consecutive incidents occurred these past two months in Sukerejo, Kendal, Central Java and Lamongan, East Java.
What was more ridiculous was Suryadharma’s speech during the opening of the event. In his speech, the chairman of the United Development Party (PPP) praised the FPI because at only an early age of 15 years, the organization has shown its maturity. Suryadharma also stated that the FPI is an Islamic organization that loves the Pancasila, nationalism and Indonesia. The FPI is not an enemy of Pancasila, he said.
It seems that Suryadharma has forgotten about the actions of a number of FPI members that contradict the diversity of our nation. Five years ago, members of the organization attacked members of the National Alliance for Freedom of Faith and Religion (AKKBB) at the National Monument in Jakarta. In Surabaya, a group of people suspected to be FPI members disbanded Islamic-Christian talks.
The same group also broke up discussions about a book in Yogyakarta. Salim’s speech during the closing ceremony was also equally odd. Seeming as if he did not wish to come up short, he also hailed the FPI. He said the FPI is getting better by the day, their quality has increased and society has accepted them even more. Salim’s statement clearly contradicts reality because many have demanded that FPI be disbanded due to their extensive violent acts.
Suryadharma and Salim’s presence raises concerns because it can be construed as their approval for the FPI continuing their "mission" despite the fact that we hope each organization, whatever their mission, will not use violence. Suryadharma did not forget to advise the FPI to refrain from using violence, which is prohibited in Islam. (*)
