MUHAMMADIYAH.ID, JAKARTA - President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo responded to the deadly attack in Paris and Nice. He condemned statements made by French President Emmanuel Marcon insulting Muslims and disturbing the unity of the world.
The President Jokowi's statement was delivered after a closed meeting with Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia Ma'ruf Amin with religious leaders from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Muhammadiyah, the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI), the Indonesian Church Alliance (PGI), Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI), the Indonesian Buddhist Association (Permabudhi), the Supreme Council for Indonesian Confucianism (MATIKAN) and the Ministers of the Advanced Indonesian Cabinet (Kabinet Indonesia Maju) at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Saturday (31/10).
Jokowi uttered several points.
First, Indonesia condemns the deadly violence occurring in Paris and Nice.
Second, Indonesia decried French President’s speech that humiliated Muslims worldwide and might spark division among different faiths when the world needed to be united to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Third, freedom of expression which tarnishes the honor, sanctity, and sacredness of religious values and symbols is not acceptable and should be ceased.
Fourth, it is a big mistake to link religion with terrorism. Terrorism is terrorism, and terrorism is terrorists. Terrorism is nothing to do with any religion.
Fifth, Indonesia prompts the world to prioritize unity and interfaith tolerance to make the world better.
Muhammadiyah's Response and Stance
Chairman of the Central Board of Muhammadiyah Anwar Abbas representing Muhammadiyah in the meeting with President, Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, religious leaders, and the minister appreciated the President’s declaration.
Anwar Abbas conveyed that Indonesia should play roles in the Islamic world and dare to fight for all injustice and arbitrariness.
“Not only Turkey but also Indonesia should play main roles in the Islamic world,” affirmed Abbas in an interview on Saturday (31/10).
On Thursday (29/10), the other chairman of the Central Board of Muhammadiyah Dadang Kahmad regretted the French President’s statement offending Prophet Muhammad.
It was deplored that the declaration was expressed by a developed modern state leader who was supposed to highly upload and respect religious symbols and leaders.
“All people should esteem other people’s faith and do not allow others to affront any holy figures no matter how the condition is,” asserted Dadang.