Indonesian 'Holy Man' Finds Reasons For Hope in Perilous Time
Pacific News Service, Bramantyo Prijosusilo, Posted: Oct 18, 2001
As anti-American protests rage in Jakarta, an American-born man and his Indonesian wife seek guidance from the country's ex-president, a moderate Muslim leader and "wali," or holy man.
JAKARTA, INDONESIA--Peace of mind is hard to come by in this Indonesian capital. Huge demonstrations against the United States and against President Megawati Sukarnoputri have rocked the streets. Muslim organizations vow to bring out thousands to protest the U.S. bombing of Afghanistan.
For Kurt Kaler, a U.S. citizen in his late 20s, life is particularly tense now. He is married to Oppie Andaresta, a popular Indonesian singer and songwriter.
Kaler, who spend his childhood in Egypt, converted to Islam when he married Andaresta, but last Friday he felt it unsafe to attend prayers at the mosque. Some Muslim organizations, such as the Islam Defenders Front and Laskar Jihad, have threatened to conduct sweeps against foreigners. More protests were expected after the services.
Seeking solace, Kaler, Andaresta and this reporter decided last week to speak to Abdurrahman Wahid, popularly called Gus Dur, Indonesia's ex-president and a charismatic moderate Muslim leader. Before he became president, Gus Dur was chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the largest Muslim organization in South East Asia. The nearly blind man, considered a "wali" (a kind of holy man or saint) by many of his followers, lost support of the Indonesian military and was sacked for corruption and incompetence in July. He is still popular among his Islamic base.
As a religious leader, it is not unusual for Gus Dur to meet with strangers seeking guidance. At the appointed hour -- near dawn -- we meet the venerable wali.
Almost immediately, he is explaining his views on the latest world developments.
"I have always been against terrorism. But I also do not like the way America is reacting. I condemn the September 11 attacks and I also condemn the bombing. America is emptying its arsenal because Bush is being pressured by the arms industry to buy more. America, as a champion of democracy, must not practice double standards."
We ask about calls to jihad that have rung out in this country. "Anyone calling for violence must be rejected. It is as simple as that," he says.
We ask about the war against terrorism. "I agree with the People's Republic of China's position, that every attack to capture terrorists must be done multilaterally, and be based on convincing legal evidence," Gus Dur says.
The fact that the United States has not successfully presented convincing legal evidence tying the September 11 attacks to Osama bin Laden has been a continuing concern voiced by many Muslim leaders here, Vice President Hamzah Haz among them. In addition to the bombing raids on Afghanistan, the black and white rhetoric of President George W. Bush -- words and phrases like "infinite justice," "crusade," "good and evil" and "with us or against us" -- may be radicalizing Indonesian Muslim groups.
Andaresta, the singer, says she is worried about the groups in front of the U.S. embassy calling for a holy war. "There should be a multi-leveled approach," Gus Dur says. "First, find someone whom the militants trust, and ask that person to stop them. Then find out who is funding them. There must be people who do not like Megawati who are funding these groups. Third, the security forces must be firm, and make arrests."
Kaler says he does not feel protected by General Saroyo Bimantoro, the head of Indonesian police, who helped to depose Gus Dur as president earlier this year. Gus Dur laughs.
"What counts is your 'niat,' your intentions. If your niat is good, even the angels will protect you."
In an optimistic tone, Gus Dur says he admires the American people and believes that democracy will bring out opposition to the bombing of Afghanistan.
"Public opinion can change very fast in America. Look at what happened to Bush senior -- he won the Gulf (War), but lost the elections. If the young Bush does not catch bin Laden before the beginning of Ramadan (the Islamic holy month which begins this year in mid-November), there is a big chance that he will fall. American people will withdraw their support."
There are at least two more groups waiting to see Gus Dur that morning. As we leave we shake his hand in Muslim tradition. He holds Kaler's hand longer, and assures him not to worry.
Kaler asks, "You are still going to work for peace, Gus?" Gus Dur answers, "Yes, of course."
Later, in our car, we reflect on how much better we feel. Gus Dur's views represent many millions of Muslims in Indonesia.
PNS commentator Bramantyo Prijosusilo (maysaroh@hotmail.com) is an artist living in Jogja, Java, Indonesia.
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