Islamic New Year
Jan 20th, 2007, in News, by PatungIslamic New Year is a time for moderation in religion, say Hasyim Muzadi and Din Syamsuddin.
In a joint press conference on the 19th to mark Islamic New Year both Nadhlatul Ulama (NU) leader Hasyim Muzadi and Muhammadiyah head Din Syamsuddin argued for a moderate form of Islam as a way of building national unity.
According to the Jakarta Post they spoke of the importance of promoting “Ukhuwah Islamiyah”, or unity among Muslim communities, and stressed that the development of Islam should be made in a spirit of togetherness and in harmony and accord with other religions.
The two men said that the struggle of Islam could not be separated from Indonesian nationhood, and must respect multicultural values and avoid extreme positions.
Hasyim said never-ending sectarian conflicts in the Middle East showed how important it was for NU and Muhammadiyah to work together to promote peace and unity among Muslims, so that Indonesia did not become stricken by hatred and war.
Developing Islam in Indonesia must be conducted within the corridors of moderation, far from extremism, either of the left or right, and atheism. The development of Islam must be made in one breath, in a national movement, so that it is not a diametric between multiculturalism and religious movements.
Hasyim said disunity among Muslims in the Middle East had led to sectarian wars and terrorism. The lack of unity had also allowed foreign powers to step in, in places like Afghanistan, Iraq and Lebanon, he said.
Referring to terrorist atrocities in Indonesia, like in Jakarta and Bali, in the past, and sectarian fighting in several regions, like Central Sulawesi and the Moluccas, and to the existence of extremist groups, Hasyim urged Muslims to adopt a moderate form of the faith to help strengthen the country.
Similarly Din said the two organizations planned to increase cooperation to help improve social welfare services for the people. The organizations would also increase communication with other religious communities to help the government cope with major problems, he said.
However, the two leaders stressed that the increased cooperation was not the beginning of a merger of the two organizations. NU and Muhammadiyah would work together without losing their distinctive identities, they said.
All people, whatever their place in society, should use the Islamic New Year to reflect quietly on the past year’s numerous disasters and problems, which had caused misery to so many and claimed a huge number of human lives, they said.
The leaders said they opposed any unconstitutional movement to topple the government. To keep the support of the people, the government needed to work harder to cope with poverty, unemployment and corruption, law enforcement and to handle accidents and disasters rapidly and professionally, they said.
20 Comments on “Islamic New Year”
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Achmad Sudarsono says:
Yes, Tante Tomalcum,
The Islamic New Year is a time to share the wisdom, make a Friend, and share the light. Let us hope to spreading the wisdom.
Achmad.
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sgn says:
Happy “Muslim” New Year 1428H to those celebrate it!!!
and…. up coming, Happy “Chinese” New Year 4705 (18-Feb-2007)and others New Years. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_year
sgn.
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Colson says:
Hear, hear!
(But why oh why Arthur Schopenhauer, Ingmar Bergman, Bruce Lee, Ron Reagan jr, Sebastiao Salgado, Björk, Woody Allen, Arthur Miller and Voltaire, amongst many other atheists, are branded extremists?)
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Dear Colson,
who are they? Are they forumners? I never heard them before.
🙂
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Okay, these philosophers, film directors, authors, actors, photographers, only have some local reputation in the insignificant part of the world outside of SE-Asia. I shall bear that in mind.
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1ndra says:
Thanks for all.
We hope this Islamic New Year bring new hope in peaceful relationship and understanding between all religion.
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Andrew says:
Happy New Year to Khafi, Hassan, 1ndra, Cukurungan, and others who celebrate it…
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… and to me, for another one day holiday.
🙂
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Ihaknt says:
Amen to all the good wishes.
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Julita says:
To all who celebrate, wishing you a ‘HAPPY NEW YEAR’ wishing you God’s blessing, health and happiness always. May peace rules your heart, your family, Indonesia and the world.
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Hassan says:
To my non-Muslim friends: Thank you sincerely for your warm greetings!
To my Muslims friends: Happy new year 1428 Hijriyah. Let’s hope the upcoming year is better than the previous ones, dunia wal akhirah.
To all my friends: We had 2 new years in 1 month’s time, and we’ll also have the chinese new year coming up soon. I hope this is a good sign of things to come, for us and our beloved Indonesia. Best wishes to all!
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Do you mean three Hassan? 🙂
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But I thought the Chinese new year will fall on 18th of February, so it will be 3 new years in approximately 1 and a half month’s time. Thanks anyway 1ndra.
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It’s a privilege to be able to wish everybody well in the new year, whatever religion or ethnic descent.
So, let’s not forget to rejoice in time the Jewish New Year ( 5768) on the 13/14th of september.
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Definitely, Colson – do remind us when we get closer to it.
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Danny says:
Happy Hanukkah Colson!
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Waaaaaaa…public holiday galore!! Love it!
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Assalaam-o-Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu
may this year bring happiness and blessings ameen may we work hard and be good Muslims ameen -
Mir Shourath Ali says:
When we step into this world or when we are born we cry at first, So why we celebrate New Year with joy and happiness.Why new borns dont laugh and rejoice.
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Happy New Year 1428H for all of Muslim friends.
Is my greeting halal? 🙂