State of Make-Believe
This year’s Idul Fitri holiday was different from previous years, as it was tarnished by brutal and vulgar riots that caused several casualties and significant material losses. Public figures deplored the actions of the rioters who behaved anarchically in the name of democracy.
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An elementary school student rides a bicycle past an anti-radicalism banner on Jan. 23, 2016 in Jurang Mangu, South Tangerang, Banten. The public call to reject radicalism emerged after the January 2016 bombings and shootings on Jl. MH Thamrin in Central Jakarta.
This year’s Idul Fitri holiday was different from previous years, as it was tarnished by brutal and vulgar riots that caused several casualties and significant material losses. Public figures deplored the actions of the rioters who behaved anarchically in the name of democracy. The holy month of Ramadan, which tests our ability to control our anger and greed, was tainted by the indiscriminate and wrathful actions of certain people.
Muhammadiyah chairman Haedar Nashir quoted the Prophet Muhammad in expressing his sadness: “Many fast, yet hunger and thirst are the only results.” (Kompas, 4/6/2019) Nahdlatul Ulama chairman Said Aqil Siroj was also concerned by the politicization of religion that led to good sayings, which should have helped Muslims become closer to Allah, to be used as tools to further political interests. (Detik.com, 23/5/2019)