People told not to use Quran to justify disgraceful actions

Jakarta, NU Online
The people should not use the Quran for justifying disgraceful actions similar to those done by the supporters of ISIS, urged Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin as reported by republika.co.id.<>

"Do not use the Quran to justify radical actions alike those done by the ISIS group," he stated while opening the 18th anniversary commemoration of Bayt Alquran and Istiqlal Museum at the Indonesia in Miniature Garden (TMII) here on Wednesday (6/5).

He noted that the Quran actually serves as a reference for Muslims to determine laws to settle various problems.

The holy Quran is also a reference for Muslims of various schools and sects, he pointed out.

The minister affirmed that a radical movement would only hurt Islam, adding that Islam is a civilized religion, and hence, any radical response to any act of provocation would not be recommended.

He lauded the graceful response by Muslims to a provocative Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest in the United States recently.

"Muslims must not be overly provoked to commit violence in response to such activities. That is not an Islamic teaching," he emphasized.

He noted that if Muslims wanted to protest against such an activity, they should do it in a civil manner.

"Muslims could launch a protest in a civil manner and not through violence or other forms of disgraceful acts," he remarked.

The minister affirmed that they could launch a protest through a dialog with the organizing committee of the activity to explain about the issue and why Muslims have deplored the activity.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq