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Sunday, May 13, 2012

Irshad Manji: the controversial figure


Media statement by Irshad Manji - 10 May

Four years ago, I came to Indonesia and experienced a nation of tolerance, openness and pluralism. In my new book, I describe Indonesia as a model for the Muslim world.

Things have changed. Last night at LKiS community center, religious gangsters attacked about 150 citizens of Yogyakarta, as well as my team. My colleague, Emily Rees, was struck with a metal bar and had to be rushed to hospital. Her arm is now in a sling. Two other attendees sustained head injuries. I have spoken with them both and, by God's grace, they will recover.

But the reputation of the criminals should never recover: They hid behind masks and helmets while beating up ordinary people and destroying property. These men are cowards.

In sharp contrast, the courage of several citizens saved my own life. As the gangsters shouted, "Where is Manji?," citizens shielded my body with theirs. I am immeasurably grateful for, and humbled by, their bravery. They have shown that Indonesians can unite for human dignity.

Citizens have reported to me that their police and government are capitulating to the thugs. But the people need not capitulate. May all Indonesians take pride in their peaceful heroes -- and learn from them.

Irshad Manji Author, Allah, Liberty & Love and Director, Moral Courage Project, New York University


Four years ago. That means not so long ago. Indonesia was 'already' under the same president cum unsuccessful singer, SBY. :) 

So what has changed 'Indonesia'? 

Indeed we all know that tolerance -- especially tolerance among religions -- has been declining very badly in our country, the once-called a country with big tolerance among its citizens. Can I say it all started from the so-called civil war in Maluku by the end of nineties? Since then on, intolerance among religions has become worse and worse each year. The existence of the hardline Islam organizations have a very big influence and many people know that some hardline Islam organizations were even made by the government. 

The government plan to make a bigger civil war than just what happened in some regions, such as Maluku and Kalimantan? What for?

Coming back to Manji.

In fact, four years ago, Indonesia's intolerance to view differences was bad enough already. But still, according to Manji's statement, she was warmly welcome here at that time. Therefore, I am of opinion that perhaps I had better change my own question "what has changed Indonesia?" 

Indonesia's intolerance is still as bad as four years ago.

My own question slowly led me to another thought: Irshad Manji's sexual orientation has been popularized more than when she came here four years ago. The fact that there have been some communities that 'promote' homosexuality as one normal orientation just like heterosexuality -- such as ourvoice -- that has 'come out' must have a bigger role. The more 'campaign' done by these communities, the more rejection done by public who have been brainwashed that homosexuality is something against 'natural' law.

I am wondering who was behind those hardliners who did some violence toward Manji -- such as what happened in LKis Jogja; who paid them so that they did an action. (click this link ) Rumors said that those hardliners would do actions when they got paid.

And one very heart-breaking event for me was when even Gadjahmada University -- MY almamater --  cancelled the plan to have Manji talk about her book at that campus. (click this link )

Indeed, struggling for equality for everybody -- in this cace among heterosexual, homosexual, and asexual -- is still long way to go. Religions with their dogma as one 'legal' attacker of non heterosexuality will always be in use. 

C-net 21.41 130512

Some comments from my other blogsite which will be closed down December 1, 2012

martoart wrote on May 13
Indonesia's intolerance is still as bad as four years ago.
bukannya makin lebih buruk?
afemaleguest wrote on May 13
lebih buruk ya Kang?
hmmmmm
:-(
dinantonia wrote on May 14
No religion and its dogma legalizes any kind of attack.

I dont agree with homosexuality, but I dont hate them.

Seneng dan setuju banget sama quote dr opini org ini:
" I do associate with homosexuals, and i try to tell them the truth of what i believe, and if they don’t accept, then to each his own. no love lost. But i would never treat one badly or dismiss one bc of it. I love everyone and treat them with respect."
afemaleguest wrote on May 14
Seneng dan setuju banget sama quote dr opini org ini:
" I do associate with homosexuals, and i try to tell them the truth of what i believe, and if they don’t accept, then to each his own. no love lost. But i would never treat one badly or dismiss one bc of it. I love everyone and treat them with respect."
opini siapa ini Dina? :)
nanaskuningkeci wrote on May 14
kayanya makin parah mba... dimana2 group itu bikin Indonesia jadi bukan negara pluralisme lagi... hiks
afemaleguest wrote on May 14
kayanya makin parah mba... dimana2 group itu bikin Indonesia jadi bukan negara pluralisme lagi... hiks
yes, you can say that again, Ranie T.T
onit wrote on May 17
by the way, only recently i liked irshad manji on facebook. why?

i knew her looong time ago when she published her 1st book in 2003. it was (as she personally admitted it) about anger. her anger towards attitudes of many muslim people she knew. to me, it was yet another anger expression (but honest!), so it was normal, not exceptional.

however, i just read excerpts from her latest book allah, liberty, love, which is available at amazon.com. within less than 10 years she has communicated with many muslims (especially female ones) throughout the world and she managed to build her aspirations based on her conversations with people. she has grown, matured.

i said "wow" so many times reading the excerpt, because it's what i had in my mind, too. only i've chosen a different path, as to me faith is a personal matter. she chose the courageous path, by connecting with many people in the world and labelled herself a reformist.

i'd like to get her book. after i read her full book, i'll write this in a review.
martoart wrote on May 17
onit said

i'd like to get her book.
Sila minta Nana linknya sist...
afemaleguest wrote on May 19
I have been on the move (alias kluyuran mulu) since Thursday, belum ketemu kompi atau lepi, so belum bisa kirim link ke Onit ^^
onit wrote on May 19
sip lah.. kan aku dah nemu di amazon, buat apa dikasih link lagi ;)
martoart wrote on May 19
onit said
sip lah.. kan aku dah nemu di amazon, buat apa dikasih link lagi ;)
gratis maksudnya..

7 comments:

Saut Situmorang said...

Irshad Manji?

Read this:

http://boemipoetra.wordpress.com/2012/05/04/reviewing-irshad-manjis-the-trouble-with-islam-today/

Saut Situmorang said...

Ini satu bonus info tentang Irshad Manji; sesuatu yang gak permah dituliskan oleh media massa Indonesia terutama yang berhubungan dengan Komunitas TUK-Salihara-JIL milik Goenawan Mohamad yang mengundangnya ke Indonesia kayak majalah Tempo dan Koran Tempo:

The Trouble with Irshad Manji
http://psreview.org/content/view/26/72/

Nana Podungge said...

Bung Saut,

thanks for dropping by at my blog and leaving comments containing worth-reading links. :)

By the way, I have paid attention for some time that you always disagree with Komunitas TUK and Goenawan Mohammad especially. :)

colson said...

Gender equality and sexual issues always seem to stir fear and anger among fundamentalists in all three monotheistic religions. It's up to politics and democratic institutions to keep that in check.

Last December when Manji was in Amsterdam the meeting was raided by a bunch of hotheads calling themselves "Shariah4Beglium" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nSFxZ62E7sQ). The Police arrested two and dispersed the rest. The meeting was continued.

When the book launch in Salihara was disturbed, the Indonesian Police dispersed the meeting and protected the thugs.

From my watchtower far away I perceive an ever stronger tendency of government and institutions to give in to noisy and violent vigilantes who claim to act on behalf of their religion.

Manji in Indonesia in a way was a painful test to show Indonesian authorities fails it's population.

Nana Podungge said...

Dear Colson,

I could not agree more with your statement that there is an ever stronger tendency of Indonesian government and institutions to give in those violent vigilantes who claim to act on behalf of their religion, even sometimes they claim to represent the majority of Indonesian people. ridiculous.

what else can I hope except that there will be another leader who can really reign the country and respect all citizens regardless the minority groups.

hoping I am not just dreaming.

:'(

Newspaper Article said...

thanks for the controversy, i like controversy news

billy said...

its very controversy...irshan madji is very controversy person..