Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP) held an article writing competition with two themes, namely ‘Respect the Flag According to the Law’ Islam‘ and ‘Singing the National Anthem According to Islamic Law’. This competition sparked polemics from various circles.
BPIP held this competition to commemorate National Santri Day 2021. Special Staff to the Chairman of the BPIP Steering Committee, Antonius Benny Susetyo, said that the choice of theme was adjusted to the context of Santri Day. BPIP sees the importance of religious values in responding to love for the homeland.
“Right now, in the context of the month of santri, the themes for the month of santri are adjusted to the themes of Santri’s Day. This will also make the same competition for religious holidays. It is universal,” said Benny when contacted, Friday (13/8).
Benny emphasized that the purpose of this competition was to interpret religious values in strengthening nationalism.
“It is adjusted to the Santri Day. The same applies to respecting the flag according to Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Catholicism, Confucianism,” he said.
However, this competition actually sparked a polemic in the community. Deputy Chairperson of the Gerindra Party, Fadli Zon, criticized the competition. He considered that the theme raised showed BPIP’s failure to understand Islam and Pancasila.
“The theme of this BPIP competition shows how shallow BPIP understands Islam and Pancasila,” said Fadli on the Twitter account @fadlizon.
“This is a product of acute Islamophobia and tends to accuse Islam of questioning the respect for the flag and the national anthem of Indonesia Raya. Immediately change the theme so as not to divide the nation,” said Fadli.
Similarly, the Chairperson of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) DPP, Mardani Ali Sera, criticized the writing theme in the competition. According to Mardani, the theme that was chosen as the material for the competition was strange and seemed tendentious.
He considered that BPIP should raise a more unifying theme, not create controversy. Mardani also urged BPIP to conduct a thorough evaluation.
“There are other, more visionary theme ideas in commemoration of National Santri Day, such as Santri’s View in Danger of Climate Change or Santri for a Corruption-Free Indonesia,” said Mardani.
“But changing the theme is only a surface, the BPIP paradigm should unify and strengthen the role of religion in a harmonious frame. BPIP needs a total evaluation,” Mardani added.
A strong criticism was also conveyed by the cleric from West Sumatra, Anwar Abbas. Instead, he suggested that BPIP be dissolved. He assessed that the institution led by Megawati Soekarnoputri did not have social sensitivity in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“My conclusion is that BPIP should just be disbanded. No matter what, the competition is not contextual. Again, Covid is a flag law problem,” said Anwar, Friday (13/8).
Anwar said that there were many relevant and contextual themes for holding a competition to celebrate Santri Day. He then gave an overview of the current situation.
In fact, according to Anwar, BPIP can make a competition with the theme of the role of students in the midst of the corona virus pandemic.
“Why not compete; What is the role of students in dealing with Covid, right? The role of students in dealing with economic problems, right?” said the Islamic economist.
Anwar also believes that the BPIP competition will only provoke division and suspicion between groups. He said that the theme has the potential to make people suspicious of the national values of the santri.
“In the end, if there are legal writings, it’s haram to use it as a tool to beat students, right? Even though we raised the flag before we became independent,” said Anwar.
(dmi / ptj)
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