Interfaith College Group in Indonesia Seeks Permission to Fight Radicalism
(International Christian Concern) –As radicalism continues to rise in Indonesia, an alliance of interfaith student groups at university level has called on the Indonesian government to issue a regulation that would allow them to tackle extremism on campuses across the country.
According to the alliance known as the Cipayung Group, Indonesia lives under the shadow of extremism and many universities remain hotbeds of Islamic militancy, the country, which will celebrate its independence day today, will not enjoy its independence and grow intellectually, unless radical ideology is banished from campus life.
“Radicalism, intolerance and identity politics are flourishing among young intellectuals on campuses,” Robaytullah Kusuma Jaya, chairman of the Indonesia Muslim Students Movement, told UCA News.
“They have formed cells on campuses that have grown systematically over the past two decades, with many groups taking control of academic facilities, offering scholarships to students wanting to study abroad, and helping for their members become lecturers,” he said.
He added that they have invaded campus life and use religious divisions to spread radical ideologies.
“This must end. The government must amend laws that will allow the Cipayung Group to conduct campus activities to counter this trend,” Juventus Prima Yoris Kago, chairman of the Catholic Students Association said.
Established in 1972, in Cipayung, West Java, the interfaith alliance includes various student bodies, including the Indonesian Catholic Students Association, Indonesia Muslim Students Movement, the Indonesian Christian Students Movement and the Union of Indonesian Buddhist Students, among others.
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