(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The East Java provincial administration has appointed the Sunan Ampel Islamic State Institute (IAIN) to mediate the Shia issue in Sampang regency, Madura Island.IAIN rector Abdul A’la told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday that a consultation forum would take place starting from next week, where he would be inviting all parties involved in the conflict.He said the invitations would be extended to Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Muhammadiyah, Ahlul Bait Indonesia (ABI), the Indonesian Ahlul Bait Association (IJABI), the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the Islamic Boarding School Foundation (YAPI) and Madura clerics.“We will also invite local residents involved and parties we consider can contribute to conflict resolution, including the media,” A’la said.Earlier on Friday, East Java Governor Soekarwo revealed IAIN’s appointment to resolve the Shia issue in Sampang. “We appointed IAIN because it cooperates with the Religious Affairs Ministry in reconciliation,” he said.As an academic institute, A’la said IAIN would do its best to be neutral and professional.“We have been studying the case for some time. We’re trying to use a holistic approach so the conflict can be solved from various perspectives,” he said.The rector, however, has yet to pinpoint how to solve the problem. The main thing, he said, was that a forum would be established to find solutions.A’la concurred with Soekarwo’s hint that the forum would also discuss alleged blasphemy, such as claims that Koran was not final.Commenting on the appointment of IAIN, the Surabaya coordinator of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), Andy Irfan, said he supported and appreciated the move.“We hope this effort will be conducted to attain peace and fulfill human rights protection and respect for the victims, instead of a mere show to improve the government’s image,” he said over the phone.He added that Kontras encouraged both Shiites and non-Shiites in Sampang to be major actors in the reconciliation forum.Andy requested that the forum guarantee several things: peace, protection for victims, normalization of victims’ rights and respect for differences.He said Kontras believed the whole episode was ignited by misunderstanding, hate speech, a fatwa (edict) by the East Java MUI that the Shia Islam was blasphemous, as well as the state being weak in promoting tolerance and protecting minority groups, especially in regions vulnerable to conflict./129
source : Jakarta Post
Wednesday
10 July 2013
7:30:00 PM
439371
The East Java provincial administration has appointed the Sunan Ampel Islamic State Institute (IAIN) to mediate the Shia issue in Sampang regency, Madura Island.