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A Counter-Movement to Political Islam

The organization’s stated goal is to encourage dialogue among Islamic groups with a liberal understanding of Islam and to create a journalistic platform for analysis, background reports and interviews. “We also conduct workshops, public discussions and radio talk shows to discuss the current challenges for Muslim society following the end of the Suharto era,” explains Luthfi Assyaukanie, coordinator of Jaringan Islam Liberal. The Islamic scholar and lecturer at the Paramadina University in Jakarta knows exactly what he is talking about when he emphasizes the significance of his organization’s educational and publicity work: “We are now living in a democratic society. However, if we do not enrich it with our views, the radicals will try to fill this gap. We see ourselves as a reply to the rising Islamism in Indonesia.”

Source: Qantara, May 2008

24/11/09 01:41 AM

Muslim leaders failing to cultivate pluralism: Experts

Muslim scholar Luthfi Assyaukanie, who studied Islamic Law at Jordan University and took his doctoral degree from Melbourne University, said the Ahmadiyah case reflected a weakening effort to rejuvenate understanding about Islam and enlighten Muslim communities. “The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and the Indonesian Islamic Propagation Council (DDII) are controlled by those who defy the (Islamic) rejuvenation movement. They also dominate state agencies with certain religious authorities,” he told The Jakarta Post. The MUI declared Ahmadiyah “deviant” and demanded the government outlaw its activities.

Source: Jakarta Post, May 18, 2008

23/11/09 01:37 AM

Indonesia minority sect fears hardline backlash

‘The government does not follow the constitution but is instead trying to accommodate radical groups which are actually very small in number. It is dangerous for the future of religion freedom in our country,’ said Mr Luthfi Assyaukanie, coordinator of Liberal Islam Network. ‘If they succeed with the Ahmadiyya case, they will start with other cases including trying to push certain teachings in Islam.’

Source: Life, June 13, 2008

04/11/09 12:08 AM

Indonesia limits activities of religious group

“The ban is against the Indonesian constitution that guarantees freedom of religion,” said Luthfi Assyaukanie, chairman of the Liberal Islam Network think-tank. Mr. Yudhoyono “should have been firm toward the radical Muslim groups but he is bowing to their pressure instead. It’s a very shameful decision.”

Source: Reuters, 11 June 2008

01/11/09 11:02 PM

Indonesia Scholars Stress Religious Freedom Amid Apostasy Cases

Luthfi Assyaukanie, a Muslim scholar, said at a Jan. 29 discussion that apostasy was mushrooming among local Muslims. He pointed out that many Muslims have joined the Ahmadiyah and Al-Qiyadah Al-Islamiyah sects. Assyaukanie was among several Muslim and Christian speakers at the discussion organized monthly by Liberal Islam Network (JIL, Indonesian acronym) at its headquarters in Jakarta. About 70 people, mostly Muslims, attended the Apostasy from the Perspective of Religions discussion.

Source: Ucan, 19 February 2008

20/10/09 12:04 AM