(Jakpost) Editorial: (Problematic) Christmas Greeting

12/12/2018

Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin was very honest in a recent appeal he made. He asked for the understanding of Indonesian Christians in the event that their Muslim compatriots refused to greet them with “Merry Christmas” on the religious holiday, although Christians diligently express similar courtesies when Muslims celebrate Idul Fitri.

Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) chairman Din Syamsuddin meanwhile stated on Tuesday that it was OK for Muslims to convey “Merry Christmas” greetings, because it was just a matter of courtesy to other people as community members. It has nothing to do with faith. Allowed to greet their fellow Christians with a “Merry Christmas” a gesture that may boost religious harmony in the country.

The council chairman, Din Syamsuddin, who was speaking to clarify an earlier MUI ruling banning Muslims from wishing Merry Christmas to Christians, said that not a single article in the ruling explicitly barred Islamic followers from doing so.

Expressing respect through greetings to other religious believers had nothing to do with faith, as claimed by many hard-line Islamic scholars, but it had more to do with socio-cultural activities that could improve friendship in multicultural life.

“Wishing a greeting as a form of our friendship to other faithfuls won’t damage our faith. Islam is not a narrow-minded religion. Greetings are more about culture, not faith,” Din said.

Muslim scholars have long been debating the controversy of wishing Merry Christmas to Christians. Some said that Christmas is a religious festivity celebrating the birthday of Jesus, the son of God worshipped by Christians.

Hard-line Muslims believed that wishing Christians a Merry Christmas could be interpreted as believing that Jesus was a divine being and not just a prophet, a violation of Muslim belief.

Din said that the MUI, through its ruling established under the tenure of former chairman Buya Hamka in the early 1980s, prohibited Muslims from attending Christmas festivities, as it claimed that such activities were closely related to worshipping God.

“The MUI created the ruling in the 1970s and 1980s because at that time Muslims were invited to become committee members of Christmas celebrations [at churches]. Islam is very strict when it comes to religious celebration, which has something to do with faith. But not a single article in the ruling prohibits Muslims from wishing Merry Christmas,” he added.

Ahmad Fuad Fanani of the Maarif Institute for Culture and Humanity said that the Merry Christmas controversy had been recurring every year. Thus, he urged religious leaders to sit together to solve the problem.

“Wishing Merry Christmas is an individual right and it has more to do with social life than faith. Both conflicting parties involved in the controversy should understand each other better, that wishing Merry Christmas is a personal right and they cannot blame each other as being wrong or right,” Fuad said on Tuesday.

Churches always become a target of hard-line groups on the days prior to the celebration of Christmas, which falls on Dec. 25 every year.

National Police chief Gen. Sutarman said that 80,560 police officers would be deployed at 1,760 safety posts and 603 service posts nationwide from Wednesday to Jan. 2 to ensure the safety of those celebrating Christmas and the New Year.

He said the military and other related institutions would also assist the security efforts by deploying 19,581 and 65,195 personnel respectively.

Sutarman said two-thirds of their forces would be stationed in provinces where many Christian Indonesians lived and where they were vulnerable to civil disturbances, such as Java, South Sulawesi and Sumatra.

He also said that based on information the police had gathered, there was very little chance that there would be terrorist attacks by militant groups during Christmas or New Year’s Eve.

“There is potential [for a terrorist attack], but it’s not very significant. However, we remain alert,” he added.

Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo said that his ministry had already sent a radiogram to provinces to remind them that they must put all their efforts into making Christian Indonesians feel safe enough to conduct their services at Christmas.

For decades the controversy has always appeared and the pros and cons have never subsided, though Islam recognizes Jesus as a prophet. What Lukman and Din meant was to encourage tolerance, understanding and empathy among the citizens of Indonesia, a widely diversified nation. The state and its citizens have an obligation to respect freedom of expression and religion.

Therefore the issue should not cause a big fuss. The stance and faith of those who are for and against the routine greeting, which has become a sensitive issue, should be honored. Let people follow their hearts as they have full freedom to practice their religion and faith.

A much more substantial issue at Christmas is about the rights of the faithful to be free from fear of threats, from disturbances and terror when they exercise their constitutional rights. It is about security.

Just like a phrase in the holy book, every Christmas Eve since the barbaric terrorist attacks on several churches on Dec. 24, 2000, the police say, “Do not be afraid!” The police cite the phrase to convince Indonesian churchgoers that the state guarantees freedom of religion for all citizens, including to celebrate the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago. The mere eyesore of heavily guarded churches has become a necessary evil to ensure Christmas masses are peaceful, though they unfortunately remind one of a society becoming increasingly intolerant.

National Police chief Gen. Sutarman announced on Tuesday that he would deploy 165,337 personnel in a joint “Candle Operation”, including 80,560 police personnel and 19,581 soldiers to secure Christmas on Thursday and for New Year celebrations. It is a promise that what happened 14 years ago will never happen again.

The 1945 Constitution ensures the freedom of religion, no doubt about it. But citizens should also realize they cannot just depend on the government, but must prepare their own protection. As minorities are naturally more protective of their security and mainly that of their families, the responsibility to speak up for all citizens’ freedom of worship must also lie with Muslims, not only the government. It is hard to deny that the government often does little to protect citizens from intimidation or threats from people who arrogantly claim that the truth belongs just to them.

The Christmas greeting controversy should not affect relations among citizens; instead it should enrich awareness of mutual respect and tolerance.

May Christmas bring peace and prosperity for all

JejakParlemen

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(Jakpost) Editorial: (Problematic) Christmas Greeting