ASIA FOUNDATION ACCUSED OF SUPPORTING HERESY IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 011472 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/13/2011 TAGS: PTER PREL ASEC CASC KISL ID SUBJECT: ASIA FOUNDATION ACCUSED OF SUPPORTING HERESY IN INDONESIA REF: OPEN SOURCE CENTER TRANSLATION SEP20060913071002 Classified By: Political Officer Catherine E. Sweet, Reason 1.4(d) ¶1. (C) Summary. A hard-line Indonesian Islamist magazine, Hidayatullah, has published a screed accusing The Asia Foundation (TAF) of supporting organizations and individuals who defame Islam. It also asserts that Indonesia's two largest Muslim mass organizations, Nadhlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah are "in the pocket of" TAF. According to Asia Foundation staff, the article reflects a fight within the Hidayatullah organization, triggered when the hard-line leadership learned that a more progressive faction approached TAF for help in modernizing the curriculum for Hidayatullah's Islamic boarding schools. Still, TAF is very concerned about the article's possible repercussions, and is strategizing with its friends in NU and Muhammadiyah, as well as the Islamist Justice and Prosperity Party, as to how best to respond. We have offered TAF assistance in reviewing its security practices since the virulent tone of the article might incite someone inclined to violence to take action. End Summary. Allegations of Supporting Heretics -------------- ¶2. (SBU) A hard-line Indonesian Islamist magazine, Hidayatullah, has published a screed in its September issue attacking The Asia Foundation (TAF) (reftel). The article begins with a list of statements that many Muslims would find offensive: among others, that the Qur'an is not the word of God, Islam is not the one true religion, and Islamic law is not God-given but instead is a collection of regulations taken from Arab customs and influenced by Roman and Persian law. (Note. Many of these points are common in historiographical discussions of the context in which Islam emerged. End note.) Alongside this list is a Qur'anic quotation often cited by extremists who reject all interaction with non-believers (kafir),and which may been seen as a call to violence: "O believers, take not My enemy and your enemy for friends, offering them love, though they have disbelieved in the truth that has come to you, expelling the Messenger and you because you believe in God your Lord. If you go forth to struggle (carry out jihad) in My way and seek My good pleasure, secretly loving them, I know very well what you conceal and what you publish; and whosoever of you does that, has gone astray from the right way" (Al-Mumtahanah, 60:1). ¶3. (SBU) The piece then launches into an attack on The Asia Foundation, asserting that TAF has financed Muslim activists and experts in Indonesia who have insulted Islam. Although it implies that these individuals have made statements or issued publications including the abovementioned heresies, the article cites no specific references. It continues by alleging that TAF is a CIA front organization and just one of many "missionary" groups the US is bankrolling to "change the face of Islam" as part of the war on terrorism. The author's venom is not limited to American organizations, but claims that Indonesia's two largest Muslim mass organizations, Nadhlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah (which are known for their relatively moderate practices) are "in the pocket of" TAF. Misplaced Anger -------------- ¶4. (C) According to Asia Foundation Assistant Country Director Robin Bush, the Asia Foundation has never made or published any commentary on the history or nature of Islam as alleged in the article. In their view, this diatribe is not so much directed at TAF but rather reflects an ongoing internal fight between progressives and hard-liners within Hidayatullah. As an organization, Hidayatullah is focused primarily on proselytizing (dakwah) and education, running a number of Islamic boarding schools, or pesantren, throughout Indonesia. Its eponymous magazine has the second largest readership in the Islamist community after the inflammatory Sabili (which also published a derogatory piece about TAF two years ago),and the fourth largest readership of all Indonesian magazines. ¶5. (C) Bush notes that a group of younger members approached TAF for help in modernizing Hidayatullah's curriculum. However, when the organization's extremely conservative leadership learned of the proposal, they forced the modernizers to withdraw their funding request. Indeed, there seems to be an oblique reference to this in the article itself. The author mocks an unnamed organization that is JAKARTA 00011472 002 OF 002 targeted by TAF as "fundamentalist" and "anti-American" but is "willing to accept financial assistance from TAF," heaping scorn for taking money from a foundation that funds groups which allegedly insult the prophet Muhammad, the Qur'an and Islam. ¶6. (C) Regardless of its genesis, TAF is very concerned about the article's possible repercussions. According to the TAF leadership, this piece is much more emotional and provocative than other negative press that TAF has received in the past. Moreover, Bush notes a change for the worse in the political climate since the Sabili article appeared two years ago, and worries that someone who is inclined toward violence might see this as an invitation to harm TAF staff. TAF head Douglas Ramage spoke to the Ambassador, the RSO and other personnel about the article's possible security ramifications, and RSO personnel have discussed with TAF possible ways to increase their security posture. RSO will also review TAF security procedures, have a senior Embassy local guard review security procedures with TAF guards, and provide a counter surveillance and attack recognition class for TAF personnel. In addition, when the RSO office is fully staffed, TAF drivers will be afforded the opportunity to participate in hands-on anti-terrorist driving training provided by RSO. Ramage told the Charge September 15 that he had called on Ansyad M'Bai, head of the counterterrorism desk at the Coordinating Ministry for Security, Political and Legal Affairs. M'Bai told Ramage he would alert security personnel and foreign embassies that provide assistance to the Indonesians to be alert for possible threats to TAF. ¶7. (C) TAF is also strategizing with its friends in NU and Muhammadiyah as to how best to respond, since they are also maligned by the piece. In a September 14 meeting, Muhammadiyah chair Din Syamsuddin (who termed the article "vulgar") called his counterpart in Hidayatullah to demand an explanation. NU and Muhammadiyah are considering making some sort of statement, and will approach Hidayatullah's membership to make their displeasure known. Bush reports that TAF's contacts in the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS),an Islamist political party that is part of the governing coalition, have also reached out to them and offered support. Finally, TAF's Country Director told us that the liberal Hidayatullah faction that sought TAF funding is contemplating writing a rejoinder, although they do not think the magazine will publish it. HEFFERN