Islamic Organizations Protest at FKCMI Event
Friday, 21 April, 2006 | 12:36 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jember: Representatives of the Indonesian Ulemas Council, the Nahdlatul Ulama, the Muhammadiyah and the Al Irsyad in Jember Regency, East Java, are pushing the police to cancel the Islamic gathering for the prophet Muhammad's Birthday at Krajan Hamlet, Curah Lele Village, Balung Subdistrict.

They consider that the event of the Indonesian Muslim Clerics and Young Intellectuals Awakening Forum (FKCMI) will ignite restlessness in terms of tribal affiliations, religion, race, and societal groups.

So, around 20 representatives of the four organizations made protests to Jember Sub-regional Police yesterday (20/4).

“The committee always organizes Islamic events in cooperation with Christian foundations,” said KH Anwar Azis from Curah Lele village.

According to KH Anwar, participants always receive a 'present' containing a doll, rice, money, a cross and Christian books.

The organizing committee could not be reached for confirmation.

According to his family, FKCMI Head, Kyai (cleric) Fathullah Fathurrahman, is in Malaysia.

Mahbub Djunaidy