President: Fight Islam-ophobia
Tuesday, 20 June, 2006 | 16:58 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono invited Moslem intelligentsia to fight the sentiment of fear of Islam (Islamophobia) which has multiplied after the attack on the United States four years ago. Islamic scholars in the world are gathering for the second International Conference of Moslem Scholars in Jakarta.

According to the President, Islamophobia is an important issue faced by the current generation of Moslems. “(We must show that) Islam is a peaceful religion, rahmatan lil ‘alamin,” he said when opening the conference today (20/6).

The scholars who become the followers’ spokespeople, according to the President, must be able to explain to the non-adherents that Islam is in fact kind and friendly as well as to be able to hear what they expect from Islamic devotees.

Yudhoyono, speaking in English, once again stressed that Islam disagrees with terrorism, which is also the Islamic followers main problem. Islamic communities, he said, must unite to fight it.

Participants to the conference come from 53 countries. Nahdlatul Ulama initiated this year’s conference. Not only moderate Islamic figures attended, but also leaders of radical Islamic groups among which is the leader of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), Habib Rizi.

Bagja Hidayat