NU calls on people to hold dialogue in settling differences

Jakarta, NU Online
The country’s largest Islamic organization, Nahdatul Ulama (NU), has asked all mass organizations, including religion-based ones, to stop persecuting anyone accused of insulting religion or religious figures on the internet.

NU secretary-general Helmy Faishal Zaini encouraged people to instead hold dialogue to settle differences, saying that Islam also promoted such a peaceful way of problem solving.

“For us it is clear that preaching shall be carried out in a wise way. The Quran says ‘Ask the people to come to God’s way wisely and through good teachings’. It even suggests to settle differences with good manners,” Helmy said as quoted by kompas.com.

He emphasized that using intimidation and terror in dealing with differences went against the teachings of the Quran. “The Quran clearly prohibits the use of violence or terror in settling different opinions”.

Helmy was addressing growing incidents of online persecution against people who posted statements deemed defamatory against Islam, a phenomenon that emerged following the blasphemy conviction of non-active Jakarta governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama.

The issue has raised the concerns of rights campaigners, particularly after one netizen, Fiera Lovita, a 40-year-old physician in West Sumatra, faced intimidation by the Islam Defenders Front (FPI), which accused her of insulting its leader, Rizieq Shihab. (Masdar)