Wednesday, 20 September 2006 @ 10:37am.

Monday’s loooonnnng power outage was frustrating at first, especially since I was working on my computer and actually making progress, but I eventually gave in and tried to be positive. I read plenty of newspapers and magazines on the porch, took some notes, and chatted with office folks while I waited for the power to come back on. Too bad it was very hot outside! Luckily, the power returned just before the Freedom Institute was to have its evening public seminar, “Exploring Freedom of Expression in the Islamic World.” It’s a good thing, too, since it would have been a shame had the discussion been cancelled. The two main speakers (one Indonesian and one European) discussed freedom of speech and expression in the context of the Danish cartoon controversy.

The following issues came up during Monday’s discussion at the Freedom Institute:

- free speech versus community respect
- role of technology (e.g., internet, text messages) in spreading information, controversy, and mobilizing participation
- accumulated frustrations and victimization
- symbolism
- textual interpretations
- conspiracy theories
- self-censorship
- whether the mass media is a luxury and/or tool for elites or the majority (e.g., freedom of expression for whom?)
- public policies regarding majority and minority populations

The discussion was particularly relevant given Pope Benedict XVI’s recent comments on Islam and Prophet Muhammad, which upset certain groups. Several media reports suggest that Muslims here in Indonesia have generally taken a “Be patient, forgive, and move on” attitude regarding the Pope’s remarks. For example,

Forgive and move on, NU says

Ary Hermawan, The Jakarta Post, 20 September 2006 (online), Jakarta

Nadhlatul Ulama chairman Hasyim Muzadi called on Indonesian Muslims on Monday to accept Pope Benedict XVI’s apology for offending Muslims, saying it was “an obligation” according to Islamic teachings.

“As long as it (the Pope’s remarks) was made out of negligence, we are obliged to accept the apology,” Hasyim said on the sidelines of a religious leaders conference at the NU office.

The conference, held by the Indonesian Conference for Religion and Peace (ICRP), was also addressed by Cardinal Julius Darmaatmadja of the Indonesian Bishops Conference (KWI).

Hasyim said the regret was “enough” and further resentment from the Muslims would only justify the pope’s statement. “If the rage continues, perhaps what the pope said is true,” he said.