The Palestinian Issues

Question: What is the way to proceed regarding the Palestinian issue, which has, as the days pass, escalated in terms of complexity and violence?

Response: Certainly, the Muslim(s) feel much pain and great sadness at the deteriorating situation in Palestine, with matters going from bad to worse, escalating in complexity as the days pass, such that it has reached where it has (today). This is due to the differing (occurring) between the neighboring countries, and their lack of united resistance against their enemy, and (likewise) their lack of adherence to the Sharee’ah which Allah has linked to victory (and success). (This is also in addition to) the enemy vowing to oppose (the Palestinians) and remain upon the (Palestinians’) land. And this entails great danger and adverse consequences. 

The neighboring countries need to rush to unite in their resistance (against the enemy) and adhere to the Sharee’ah in confronting this issue, which concerns them and all of the Muslim world.

And that which is worth mentioning here, is that the Palestinian issue is an islamic issue from the beginning (right through) to the end. However, the enemies of Islam have strived immensely to distance it (this issue) from the lslamic path and convey to the non-Arab Muslims that this is an Arab issue, and that it does not concern the non-Arabs. It appears they have succeeded in this to a certain extent. This is why I feel it is not possible to reach a solution regarding this issue unless it is deemed an lslamic issue, and the Muslims support one another in salvation, and make jihad against the Jews in an Islamic manner, until such time the land (of the Palestinians) is returned to its (rightful Palestinian) owners. (In addition to) the trespassing Jews returning to their (own) lands where they dame from, thereby leaving the true Jews to remain in their lands under the rule of lslam, and not communism and nor secularism. Thereby, truth shall prevail and falsehood will be abandoned, and all rightful owners shall return to their lands under lslamic rule, and not under any other (rule).

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And Allah is the Expounder of Success.

Ahmadiyah, is it Islam? (Hasrul)

Ahmadiyah is a religious movement which was built by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. It is widespread in several countries in Asia. Ahmadiyah is becoming a phenomenon nowadays. But, this paper is going to argue whether Ahmadiyah is a part of Islam or a deviance from Islamic teaching.

Ahmadiyah is a part of Islam.  A lot of evidence are supporting it. Such as, they do say A syhadu anlaailaaha illallah, Wa asyhadu anna Muhammadarrasuullah Rasulullah has been admitted by them as the last messenger of God. Al-quran is trusted as the holy book by follower of Ahmadiyah. Those are evidences which are able to encourage Ahmadiyah become a part of Islam.
On the other hand, Ahmadiyah appeared in India aim to uphold and encourage Islam back to Qurani’ah Syariat because regarding to the history of Ahmadiyah there were some cases that happened in india. One of them, India was marked by retreating of Islam. It because of the influences of Christian in 1804 as missionaries, especially when British and foreign Bible society was formed, and the Hindu’s movement was more and more vicious in influencing their beliefs to the society of India as a pure land of Hindu. Therefore, Mirza&Hulam Ahmad attempted Ahmadiyah as a weapon to defend the existence of islam in India.

However, some ulama have stated that ahmadiyah is a deviance from Islamic teaching. That is why it must be ignored among the society. It is proven by banning the Ahmadiyah follower from going to Mecca to do hajj. Because they think that doing hajj is only for rich man and it is not an obligation. Besides that, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad decelerated his self as Zilli prophet (shadow) and Ummati (as a Rasulullah’s follower). Whereas, in the holy Quran Allah commands us that Muhammad is the last messenger or prophet. In 1981, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad also proclaimed his self as a represeqtative of Isa Almasih and Imam Mahdi as well (jemaat Ahmadiyah Indonesia 1989, page xii). Both are people who have been trusted to come in the last period.

In conclusion, although followers of Ahmadiyah have proclaimed their selves as a part of Islam, but it is against by some ulama because it is a deviance from Islamic teaching. Therefore it needs to be anticipated by society. 

THE POWER OF POWER! (Habib Muhammad Shahib)

As time goes on, we can see many ideologies and paradigms coloring our history that also make our relation within people become dynamic and colorful until nowadays. As the positive effects, those paradigms can make people have many perspectives to solve their life’s problems and also they can use the paradigms to be studied by many scholars to create a better civilization in the future. But as a negative effect, there is a black side behind each paradigm which has ever existed on this planet. Popular, we call it as the tool of power.

The socio-history scientists around this world have a similar definition for “the tool of power”. Those experts believe there are no civilizations which have existed until nowadays without using or making a paradigm to rule their people. As an effect of using or making the paradigm, we can see from many historical books that the violence actions always exist behind each paradigm which is totally supported by the power of authority to support the existence of paradigm that authority in one society (country) believes in. Even with the religion paradigms. We have to be honest. There are no religions in this world without bloody stories to support their existence.

Based on the above, we have to be aware that the relation between the authority and a paradigm are so close. Maybe, in the beginning the paradigm is a free value but with using authority, the paradigm can be changed to be a value that is not free from the interest, especially, the authority’s interest that leads in a society. So, we have to be ready to prevent the movement from government’s bodies or other parties (including religion parties) that will use their paradigms (ideologies) to push their people or followers to obey their power (rules). Even, if the governments or the other parties use violence in pushing or controlling their society (group) because, in this world, we have to fight the people who use their power (violence) to control their society. May Allah bless them. Amen.

MODERN SLAVERY (Sulaiman)

Modern slavery is the illegal activity, in which one person is controlled by violence, the threat of violence, or psychological coercion, has lost free will and free movement, and forced to work for little or no pay. Slavery that exists until now called as Modern Slavery. It also prohibited by many international treaties such as the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 195G UN Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery.

There are some characteristics of modern slavery, someone is in slavery if they ares
• treated as a commodity or bought and sold as property;

• forced to work - through mental or physical threat;

• -- owned or controlled by an ‘employer’, usually through mental or physical abuse or the threat of abuse;

• physically constrained or has restrictions placed on his/her freedom of movement.’

I think there are many factors why modern slavery still exists until now, for instance lack of education and training skills. Every labor has to have education and training skills so that they can boost their position in their community.

Modern slavery cases are common in Indonesia, like forced labor from a kitchenware factory in Bayur Opak village (CV Cahaya Logam), East Sepatan district, Tangerang regency, where labors forced and got torturous treatment, they forced to worked 18 hours with only two meals a day, they also didn’t get their salary, moreover some of them are still underage.

To conclude, to end modem slavery there are many ways like giving some knowledge and conducting training for labor. Government must give their attention about protection of labor rights so that labors can work safely and comfortably. 

Subsidy for the accused law maker (Agus Putra Gowa)

A lot of Indonesians are interested in becoming a law maker. Not only ordinary people, but also some singers, actors, and even comedians are eager to take apart in the legislative election. Being a law maker is very exciting. Every single thing is guaranteed by the country. At the end of their carrier, they will receive subsidy/pension fund from the country. Even, a law maker who has just retired or been a suspect of crimes/corruption will receive pension fund. This paper will discuss whether or not lawmakers who are suspected in criminals are reasonable to receive subsidy/pension fund.

A number of corruption .cases round up the parliament officials in this country. However, they get pension fund at the end of their carrier. According to marzuki all, the chairman of house of representatives, some of corruption accused who still receive it as follows; Panda Nababan from PDIP, Arsyad Syam from Demokrat who became the suspect of PLTD Sungai Bahar iambi in 2004, Wa Ode Nurhayati from PAN who became the suspect of local infrastructure accommodation budget, and Muhammad Nazarudin from Demokrat who became the suspect of Hambalang project. Meanwhile, some law makers who will be fired indecorously such as, Arifinto from PKS in case of watching porn video in the plenary meeting, and the chairman of Gerindra Faction Widjono Hardjanto who likes absent without leave.” All of them have the right to get subsidy/pension fund, Said All”.

Looking at the facts above, it really hurts the people of Indonesia. There are a lot of Indonesians live under poverty, without decent life and well managed education. Some other regions are being isolated without any attention from the government. This subsidy will be much better allocated to this sector than spending it to feed the corruptors. It will be more beneficial for the progress of this country and to develop the remote area in Indonesia.

The law makers have owned much money and allowance. Giving them subsidy especially for those who have done crimes or corruption can hurt the people’s heart. It is unfair. They only work for five years then receive subsidy. It is totally different from teachers who have to work for years to receive subsidy from the government. Therefore, subsidy/pension fund is not reasonable for the law makers, It is better allocating the budget for the other important sectors, such as education, infrastructures, and housing’ for the poor.

In conclusion, the government should revise the regulations. Accused law makers shouldn’t receive any money. They should live in poor as the result of their deed. 

Rebellion in the Context of Demonstration and Writing (Mas’ud Kallolona Sawitto)

Rebellion, this word is not strange at ears; there are many perceptions about rebellion. Perhaps someone wants to destroy a system of one country or someone wants to kill each other due to some purposes. In this essay the writer tries to differentiate two types of rebellion. According to the writer the two kinds of rebellion are: rebellion through demonstration and rebellion through writing.

 The first one is rebellion through demonstration. Demonstration is our aspiration that said by demonstrators because there is something wrong done by stakeholders so that’s why they are going to make sure its going the right way. Demonstrators are like cconnective tongue of society or voice of God because they do the demonstration just for protecting small societies or sometime they disagree with the obligation or policy made by government. On the other hand, demonstration has a bad effect, for example when they are burning tires on the street that affects traffic jam and they often disobey the rule such as fighting with the same demonstrators. Oh my God!!! Make me sad.

The second one is rebellion through writing. It is believed that the nice way ever in fighting against the government is through writing. Someone may criticize the government in order to tell their inspiration, critic or protest by writing, such as poetry, essay or short story. Poetry is one way to kill someone without touching, that’s quoted from a poet. With writing we can express our feelings especially our heart to government, we can say as ‘Freedom of writers’. Just like demonstration, writing has a bad effect too. We have to wait for responses from the government for a long time and it means that we waste our time to wait for something that there is no guarantee. According to someone who likes writing, after we have written, there’s something amazing or free on our mind that we can share whatever we’re thinking. Writing is a weapon for those who understand what writing is, and according to poets Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s words “just by writing I become hero for myself’, and “how smart you are if you don’t write you will be left by this world”.

Finally, I do agree that every single person has a perception between writing and demonstration, so I don’t like saying which one is better, because writing and demonstration have weakness and benefit, so it’s up to us because we are leader for ourselves. You know more than others do.

ISLAMOPHOBIA (Sulaiman)

Islam religion has developed entire world. In America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia every year population of Muslim grows faster than other religion. Many people convert to Muslim because they want to learn more about Islam. Despite Islam has been liked by many people, in other side there are few people fear Islam or Islamophobia. They dislike all Muslim. Their paranoid emerge because there are many incidents involve Muslim people like incident of WTC (World Trade Centre) in September 11^th.

Terrorism issue is one of factor that causes Islamophohia. WTC attacks had given a negative stigma for many people in America and some countries because there are many victims over this incident. Although few people assume that is a part of conspiracy to overturn Islam.

Islamophobia has mushroomed in Europe and America. It was listed as a form of intolerance. Hatred and dread of Islam stimulate discrimination, for example in the airport. Securities suspicious on Muslim people, rigorous investigation always happen over Muslim people in the airport. Muslim people also get discrimination in public services. Few Muslim even change their name so that they get good treatment, they also hard to get a job because of their identity as Muslim.

I think lslamophobia emerge because misunderstanding about Islam values, some people only assume that Islam is a radical religion. Islam is a part of terrorist, Islam identical with jihadist. That paradigm should be eliminated with explanation about Islamic values.

To conclude, Islamophobia is an irrational fear. As Muslim, we bear the obligation to explain about Islam values so that people can accept the existence of Islam in their life.

Should Burqa or Niqab be Banned? (Sulaiman)

Muslim women have an obligation to cover their aurat. They usually wear veil to cover their face. It reflects them as a Muslim woman. Nowadays, there are many trends of veil but few Muslim women still use traditional Niqab or Burqa (Full-Faced veil). It is commonly worn in many Muslim countries especially in the Saudi Arabian peninsula. Wearing Niqab or Burqa is a choice, made by individual Muslim on a personal basis. In Holy Quran in Surat AI-Ahzab verse 59:

“O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful

            This surah describe to women that how important cover their aurat; it is their obligation in Islam. Muslim woman who wear veil also must maintain their good behavior so that can reflect a good Muslimah. There many cases or issues that ban wearing the traditional Niqab, especially in UK. If Muslim woman as a witnesses or defendants, they must remove their Niqab when she gives evidence in front of the trial, but she may wears it other times during the trial. Only the judge, legal counsel, and jury will be able to see their face when she gives evidence. On the other hand, many people complaint with Judge’s ruling to remove Muslim woman Niqab in the trial, It reflects discrimination and they don’t give women rights in religion as set out by article 9 (Freedom of thought, conscience and religion) of the European convention on human rights. Discrimination over wearing veil also had happened in some countries, like France which prohibits all children from wearing religious symbols such as Muslim headscarves in schools

As a humane being we must respect each other, we need mutual understanding. Muslim women have a same rights like other people, they should get their freedom to manifest their religion in daily life.

CAMPAIGN METHOD (Hermita Arif)

Euphoria of local election is currently colonizing most of region in Indonesia, including Makassar for its coming soon mayoral election. It is common to see almost all side-road in Makassar crowded by big picture of all major candidates. Each of successful team arranges campaign strategy to attract as many as possible the number of vote from society in order to win the election. Campaign is simply to introduce the candidate to the public. Generally there are two methods of campaign which are opened and closed campaign. This paper explains the advantage and disadvantage of both methods.

Opened-campaign, as its name, is conducted in an open place such as main road, traditional market, or other public area. Considered as an efficient way to attract public vote, most of candidates use this method. Firstly, it is the way where they can involve and drive large number of supporters. Secondly, by conducting it in an open space, the candidate may reach almost all society in order to introduce their self. However, it also brings some disadvantages. Controlling and supervising large number of mass are not an easy job and so open campaign sometimes cause commotion either among the campaigner or with people outside them. Moreover, it will raise traffic jam when it conducted in the main road of city. Instead of attracting people, it will make those who feel uncomfortable to turn not to vote. Then what is the point if campaigning if so?

The second is the one which is held in a closed-room and so called closed-campaign. The candidate by this method will introduce their self and present their vision, mission, and their planned-program in a formal speech which is usually broadcasted through some local televisions. It will be effective in a way that the public may clearly know the candidate’s plan to develop their region. It is because this method of campaign provides conducive situation to hear the dialogue and debate among the candidates in order to read their view regarding national issue such as education, corruption, economy, health and so on and how they will solve the related issue. But, in term of its efficiency, it probably cannot attract public attention as many as what can be reached in opened one. This is not only due to limited number of people that may enter the campaign room but also people that access the media like television which shows the said campaign

In conclusion, both campaign methods have their own-advantage and disadvantage. Opened- campaign wins over closed-campaign in its efficiency to attract public attention and on the other hand, the closed one is more effective in presenting candidates’ figure and their view to develop the region.

United States’ Military Intervention in Syria’s Civil War (Sardjito Ibnuqoyyim)

As far as we can see, the intervention of U.S tries to help Syria by giving a help to the rebels due to the military malice to society. U.S affords to stop the bloodshed done by the government led by Bashar Al Ashad. In the same way, by giving them a help would enlarge the chaos in not only Syria but also, it will take effects in other countries.

It is clear that the scene in Syria will take our attention, with a lot people die, and dying to protect their country. Then, U.S comes to offer a hand to those people. They send their own weapon to the rebels in a hope to stop this tragedy. We do agree that a war never stops the chaos but we cannot also agree that the diploma can take a good role to make a peace. What U.S trying is not making this conflict worse but they know what to do for them which this conflict will not circulate to the other countries.

However, we also know that U.S is a superpower country which might be called as “the king of the kings”. A king always does everything it takes for their own sake. Syria is also known as “The Lion of The Arab”. So, this country has a really big important role in the Middle East Countries. Would the extremists like Hizbullah in Lebanon stay silent to see this happen? Perhaps, the other extremists will not think exactly same. It will motivate them to commit the war not making any peace.

A survey done by reuters.com, August 30, 2013, showed us that 60% the people of U.S refuse the intervention of the U.S military in Syria. And also, UN does not agree because this action will provoke the other countries to involve in this conflict. Meanwhile, some Middle East Countries such as Iran and Lebanon well-known as allies for Syria will never remain silent to see the bombarding in Syria.
Above all, it can be concluded that the potential of word war 3 will appear from the conflict of Syria with the consideration that U.S military’s intervention will never bring any peace in Syria. Otherwise, this conflict not only about a civil war but this involves some interests of other countries.

PUBLIC SERVICE (Saddam Husain)

Source: KOPEL (Komite Pemantau Legislatif ) lndonesia

The conditions of public services now are always complained. This is because of the conditions that are not representative to fulfill public needs such as administrative service management and public goods like education, road, transportation, health, energy, banking, information and communication, (UU NO.25, Thn.2009) that are not good enough to satisfy what public want. Meanwhile, the biggest income, 70% of total national income that country earns comes from taxes paid by public.

It has been clear that public is always disappointed with what government has provided to serve people. In administrative service, civil card (KTP) for instance, people must wait for a long time to finish their affairs which actually needs only an hour away to create the card. Moreover, people sometimes are asked to pay some money in order to expedite a process. There are some others problems occur in public goods. Let see the road, school buildings and facilities, health services which are very far from expectation if we compare with our countries wealth.
Some reasons which are believed as factors of unrepresentative conditions are: firstly, mechanism bureaucracy which is very complicated and also the apparatus that are not professional enough even unqualified. Secondly, weakness of leadership, it is proved by the system of “reward and punishment” that is not running well. And the last is the problem of corruption, collusion and nepotism that are not solved yet. All those reasons seemingly become a tradition and real face of Indonesia.

To conclude, I think people are already used to live in worst condition as if there is no good condition or some ways to solve this problem Moreover, politician always promise thousands things to make a better bureaucracy but in fact the promises are only words that “myna bird” can produce as well.

The Women (Hasrul)

Every single religion and culture has an owned different premise about woman.  Even less, the history had told that before holy Quran was relegated, there were lots kind of big civilizations such us Greek, Romani, India, and china. And the world also knew some religions such us Jew, Christian, Buddha, and Zoroaster.

In Greek, the woman had got an intimidation from the ruling government; they could do whatever they would like to do. Such us, the women was put into the prison without any problem, the women could be sold by their husband, the sex relation at public place was fairly, the localization had become a central of politic and art. It is proven that the number of naked sculpture of women in Greek was increasing well.

The civilization of Romani, the parents of woman had proprietary right to sell their daughter. After marrying the proprietary right moved to the husband. In this situation the husband had authority to sell, to hit, to chase away, to kill, and to ill treat. These circumstances were occurring up to 6^th century of Masehi.

In my point view the story of Hindu and china were the worst story. Why? Because of the age of wife was determined by the age of husband. It means if the husband pass away of course the wife as well. The wife should be burnt while her husband was burnt too. It terminated in 17^th century of Masehi. At the time the women also became a ritual offering to which was named as the God. The ancient history says that the poison, the snake, and the fire are less evil than the women. Meanwhile the ancient of China says that you are able to listen to what the women say but do not trust what they are talking about.

In teaching of Jew, the status of women was like a servant. The father had a right to sell his daughter if she had no brother. In their thought of teaching that the women as a source of curse because the woman engendered Adam evicted from the heaven.      

On the hand, the Christian’s view the woman was devil’s tool in misleading human being. The 5^th century Masehi had been held a church council which was talking about whether the women had the soul or not, finally the women had no holy soul. It continued in the 6^th century Masehi was held the same activity which was talking about whether the women were human being or not. The conclusion was the women were created by the god only for being the servant of the man.   

To sum up, the living condition of women from the 5^th century up to the middle century were really concerning. The man did not think that if they were born by the women. And of course, behind the great man there is a great woman. Save the women from exploitation.  

Is Islamic Identity Important? (Saddam Husain)

The spirit of religiosity is embodied in the Islamic identity. Some Muslims are very proud of showing their identities up such as using fashionable veil, headdress, names, card identities, quranic ringtones, and so on. By using Islamic identity sometimes people pretend to be real Muslims as if Islam can be understood from the surface appearance. This phenomenon can affect people’s perspective about Islam because people assume that the religious one whose appearance is nice will do better thing than non-religious one. Meanwhile, some cases that happen in the world are done by those who look like Ulama or preacher for example corruption, sexual harassment, war and even massacre.

It has been believed that Islamic identity, attributes and symbols, will persuade Muslims to do the best as reflections of their identities. This is because of the attributes should be followed by good attitude. Thus when Muslims wear the identities they endeavor to show the best because they will feel ashamed if the attitudes and the appearances are different. In this case, Islamic identity seems very import*nt for Muslims.

However, some people stated that Islamic identity doesn’t have any correlation with good attitudes at all. Otherwise, it has been precisely an artificial identity to cover fundamentalism, extremism, conservatism, and personal interest in order to deceive anyone in anywhere. For example a group of mass organizations in Indonesia that looks like Ulama or preacher but unfortunately their movement contradicts with the identity that causes society blame on Islam rather than the group.

It is ironic to realize that Muslims compete to show Islamic identity each other, not only in fashion, economy, educational system, but also in national political development Islamic identity is used by some people as a pretext to empower their group. Let us see international political constellation these days that is very dirty where Islamic countries, Middle - East fragment to be partitions, sects, fundamentalisms, moderates, and many others. That proves how bad Islamic brotherhood nowadays is.

In conclusion, Islamic identity will be better if the value of Islam as a “rahmatan ill alamiin” is embodied in attitudes. I personally think that the identity of Islam has been perfect, so it is no longer important to debate about identity; it is time to prove to everyone that Islam is peaceful at wherever, on whenever and for whomever it is.

SEPARATISM MOVEMENT IN INDONESTA (Saddam Husain)

Separatism movement is the advocacy of a state of cultural, ethnic, tribal, religious, racial, governmental, or gender separation from the larger group. While it often refers to full political secession, separatist groups may seek nothing more than greater autonomy. That is the definition that quoted by Wikipedia. Especially in Indonesia there is some separatism groups such as OPM (Liberation of West Papua), GAM (Liberation of Aceh), and RSM (South Maluku Republic) that still struggle to segregate their districts from NKRI (The Unitary State of Indonesia).

It has been said that Papua, Maluku and Aceh have been colonized by Indonesia since Netherland left. They are very rich districts but unfortunately, Indonesia as the large country can’t manage the districts fairly. In Papua for example it is very Rich Island with its natural resources, beautiful panorama, and unique cultures but they are still static as if they stay in primitive era. Some of Papuan thinkers stated that government focus for Jakarta and java only, government seems treat Papua like a stepchild because the development doesn’t appear at Papua at all. GAM itself wanted to segregate because of ideological problem, moral value and also the historical survive. In 24th May 1977 GAM had been established by Hassan Asleh, Jamil Amin, Zainal Abidin, Hassan tiro and the others. They were dissatisfied with the government that never let them to regulate “Syariat Islam”. RMS wasn’t better than others because they wanted to be independent but never come true.

Indonesia never let the separatists be independent because of many reasons. In the very first time when the revolution happened and the liberty was proclaimed “Indonesia is from Sabang until Merauke” were justified for all of the nationalists, revolutionists and international world whether “dejure and defacto”. So Government committed to defend the Unitary State of Indonesia not only in territory but also in ideology, namely “Pancasila”. It’s quite clear that Indonesia has the right to fight against every separatism movement in the nationality.

As parts of Indonesia republic, separatism problem should be solved by the government as fast and good as possible. Because it is very danger, there are many victims such as anuies and society who were died because of some killings and tragedies. Government should understand what they want and then threat them properly as long as it doesn’t damage Indonesia. So far Government has taken the military and diplomatic way to solve it but the result is far from the 1nissio OPM, GAM, RMS still exist so maybe the solving problem doesn’t touch the root grass of it.