Jakarta Post: Indonesian Muslims have been witnessing two contrasting phenomena about humanitarian issues that Islam ironically promotes and upholds.
First, we have seen the proliferation of humanitarian NGOs working on relief and humanitarian actions in disaster affected areas. A number of faith-based NGOs were founded by various Muslim groups and have worked to provide assistance for man-made and natural disaster victims. The proponents of Muslim NGOs attempt to interpret and materialize the fundamental social and humanitarian issues that Muslims should accomplish, such as providing assistance to those in need, lending a hand to refugees and empowering the disadvantaged groups of society.
Second, we have also unfortunately witnessed an incident reflecting a different story when minority Shiite Muslims from Sampang in Madura were driven out from their own village several months ago. Then, as displaced people, they were forced to be evacuated for a second time from their refugee camp because of pressure from hard-liners. The already displaced Shia group was forced to leave Madura by
fellow Muslims.
One may wonder: What is going on with Indonesia’s Muslims? Or, to borrow Martin van Bruinessen’s expression, where is the smiling Indonesian Islam? Does Islam teach how to protect people in need, refugees and (man-made) disaster victims? More importantly, how is Islam talking about humanitarian issues and how humanitarian principles are conceived by Muslims?
Categories: Asia