Yudhoyono on Charlie Hebdo: The problem is a ‘clash of values’

Former Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, now the chair of the Global Green Growth Institute, on Wednesday evening, January 14, shared his thoughts on the Charlie Hebdo attack and its fallout, as well as the controversial publication of another cartoon with the Prophet Mohammed.

Since the former president of the world’s most populous Muslim nation, which has also seen its share of terrorist attacks and grapples with religious intolerance, shared his thoughts over 45 tweets on his official Twitter account @sbyudhoyono, we’re compiling them here for easier reading, slightly edited for clarity: 

This week, the world was stunned by the violence claiming to be in the name of religion in Paris. It caused the death of 17 people.

From France, a call was made to the world, “We are at War”. But perhaps it’s more than just a call to combat terrorism.

This is what worries me. We mustn’t let Islam be confronted with non-Islam. If this occurs, then terrorists will have “won”, the rest loses.

We must prevent and combat terrorism. We cannot allow groups to murder and play judge in the name of religion.

Indonesia has been hit by terrorism in the past. The victims were innocent people. We reject terrorism from any person, any religion.

The world indeed must be united to prevent and end terrorism. But we mustn’t allow the world to be divided between Islam and non-Islam.

World leaders, national and religious leaders with communities must be active in preventing extremism and radicalism from flourishing.

Religious leaders must dare say that terrorism is a distortion of teachings of religion. They must not remain silent and let it reoccur.

For our country, Indonesia, let us ensure that life amongst religions remain ever more peaceful, tolerant and harmonious.

For 10 years, with the support of all actors, I have worked hard to safeguard the harmony and tolerance while overcoming terrorism.

I am certain that Mr Jokowi (President Joko Widodo) is also doing the same. Let us support the president and the government in pursuing this important duty.

The movement to strengthen tolerance and harmony must be conducted worldwide. All must be involved. Dialog alone is not sufficient.

Throughout the world, Muslims must not feel defeated nor humiliated. They must feel equal in any country.

Conversely, throughout the world, Islam must show their image of peace and not spread threats, violence and fear.

Is Islam not the religion that spreads Rahmat (blessings) to the universe? Hence the Ummah (the whole community of Muslims) must promote progress, peace and solutions to the world.

The ones that can show the world this face of Islam are Muslims themselves, the Ulama and leaders, including myself and you if you are Muslim.

The world of tomorrow must make the world quiet from radicalism, extremism and terrorism. Wherever it originates from.

War in Islamic countries that still occur, when the time comes, must cease. For it causes deaths, tragedy and hatred.

Although war is intended to fight terrorism, not Islam, but eventually it may be seen as war against the Islamic world.

In the future,the world communities must respect each others’ values and beliefs. Not to impose their own value system or faiths to others.

Indonesians, who are mostly Muslims, must progress, prosper and attain justice, in social and economic terms.

Returning to the murder of the cartoonists in Paris, I understand the anger that exists. But with good intentions, let us explore the causes.

Drawing the Prophet Muhammad, especially a caricature, for Muslims is a taboo. This is valid for all Muslims.

For the West, the caricature of the Prophet Muhammad is part of freedom of speech or expression. It is absolute, it shouldn’t be limited.

But for the Islamic world, that act is defamation and blasphemous. That person must receive a sanction.

Here lies the problem. There is a fundamental difference. There is a “clash of values” and “clash of perceptions”. We must overcome this.

In the future we must have mutual understanding and respect in different views. Be considerate. If not, the price is too high.

To make a caricature of Prophet Muhammad not only angers the extremist and radicals, but also to all Muslims.

A few years ago, I made a statement of protest to the planned burning of the Quran by a religious figure in the US.

In my statement, I was accompanied by other religious leaders from Islam, Christians, Hindu, Buddhists and Confucian. All were angered.

For me, the burning of a Holy Book of any religion, is example of freedom gone overboard. It can’t be tolerated.

I love peace. I want the relations between Islam and the West to be even better. Shouldn’t the caricature of Prophet Muhammad have been prevented?

In the future, leaders in Islam are responsible to prevent violence, especially murder even though the victims were deemed to insult Islam.

Conversely, leaders in the West are responsible so the freedom isn’t abused to defame Islam, ie: caricatures of the Prophet.

In my view, freedom still has its limitations. I believe that is also the spirit in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In truth, it’s not only power that tends to corrupt. “Liberty too can corrupt. Absolute liberty can corrupt absolutely”.

I follow the international media since the violence in Paris. What was underlined was the issue of freedom of speech.

If we truly wish to prevent this from repeating, we also have to mention the caricature drawing of Prophet Muhammad as the cause.

Don’t get me wrong, I also condemn the murder of the cartoonist. But I’m thinking of how to prevent it in the future.

A few days ago, in the US, I conveyed this view to those that care and want to be part of the solution.

I invite any nation, America, Europe, Asia, Islam and others, to choose a solution that’s more wise and appropriate. It doesnt have to be war.

This morning (January 14) in Japan, I saw the TV channels say that there will be massive screenings of caricatures of Prophet Muhammad in Europe.

I trully hope that world leaders, including religious leaders, can do something. Let us prevent the worsening of situation in the world.

Many are skeptic and pessimistic. They say that it’s impossible for terriorism and tension between Islam and the West to be overcome.

I agree this is a sensitive and difficult issue. No easy solutions. But a world that is “a little bit” better is still achievable. –Rappler.com