We pray for the people of Turkey so that they remain strong to meet any threat ..."Bandung (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Muslim Scholars Association (ICMI) has condemned the military coup attempt in Turkey saying it has hurt the essence of democracy.
"I appeal to all civilized democratic elements anywhere to strongly condemn the coup attempt by military elements against the legitimate government in Turkey," ICMIs general chairman Jimly Asshiddiqie said in a press release received here on Saturday.
He also appealed to all parties to pray for the people of Turkey so that they remain strong to deal with any threat facing their country.
"We pray for the people of Turkey so that they remain strong to meet any threat and be able to overcome this incident," he stated.
He noted that this case as well as the developments in Egypt and also the conflicts in several other regions in the Middle East have further convinced the Indonesian people that in their own country, democracy has been able to grow well and fast.
"It is clear to us that Indonesia has been able to prove itself as a symbol of the worlds third biggest democracy and a country that has the worlds biggest democratic Muslim population," he argued.
He pointed out that it has been historically proven that it was only in Indonesia that democracy could grow well in a peaceful atmosphere.
"It is proven that only in Indonesia, democracy could grow well and naturally, inspiring the world, especially the Muslim world," he underlined.
In a failed coup attempt on Friday evening, sections claiming to be part of the military had declared they had taken over power from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reported to be abroad.
Muhammadiyah, one of the major Islamic mass organizations in the country, has also condemned the incident in Turkey as well as the terror incident in France.
"Whoever they are, the perpetrators of such deadly terror attacks are not condoned in Islam," Muhammadiyahs eneral chairman, Haedar Nashir, declared in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Saturday.
"Islam never condones terrorism. If the perpetrators turn out to be Muslims, they do not represent Islam or its teachings," he said.
Regarding the coup attempt in Turkey, he noted that he was grateful it was not supported fully by the military in that country.
"Indeed, a lot of incidents have been happening in Turkey. Some people have an inclination towards the Middle East while others towards Europe. Turkish immigrants are a tough lot. A lot of buildings in Germany belong to them," he explained.
Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla has expressed concern over the coup attempt in Turkey and hoped that President Erdogan would be able to overcome the problem.
Kalla, who was in Ulan Bator for the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), said, "I am concerned over what happened in Turkey."
(Reporting by Benardy Ferdiansyah/Uu.H-YH/INE/KR-BSR)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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