MUI Gathers Ulemas
Monday, 29 January, 2007 | 13:30 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) will gather Islamic organizations and ulemas in Central Sulawesi to find the best solution for the rioting that has flared up again in Poso.

“We will invite them to meet in Jakarta,” said Amidhan, one of the MUI chairpersons.

Amidhan, concurrently the Head of the Nadhatul Ulama’s Political Section, said the meeting plan was made after several ulemas met with Vice President Jusuf Kalla, on Saturday (27/1).

“The vice president not only asked us to mediate, but also to be directly involved in the field,” said Amidhan.

For example, he said, the government will help any Islamic organization which wants to build a boarding school in Poso.

“Islamic boarding schools will teach moderate Islam,” he said.

For long-term solution, MUI will form a national rehabilitation committee for Poso.

“This committee must be independent,” said Amidhan.

This rehabilitation committee, he said, comprises of elements from government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs)--either Islamic or Christian, local notables and universities.

Yesterday (28/1), the Muslim Legal Defense Team (TPM) conveyed its readiness to acts as the facilitator for searching for people on the wanted list in Poso, in response to the security authorities’ difficulties in capturing them.

However, TPM asked the government to act justly and adhere fully to the conditions of the Malino agreement.

Rini Kustiani, Imron Rosyid and Raden Rachmadi