ICIP-The International Centre for Islam and Pluralism

VIsion and Mission

Welcome

The International Centre for Islam and Pluralism (ICIP) was established in Jakarta in July 2003, after one year of preparation and dialogue. Participants in the dialogue process included intellectuals and specialists on Islam and pluralism, from Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Thailand and the Philippines.

The principal goal of ICIP is to build a network of Islamic Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and progressive-moderate Muslim activists and intellectuals, in South-East Asia, and eventually around the globe. ICIP's soft launching took place on 11-11-2003 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

“Malaysia minorities fear Islamization in Allah row”

Associated Press Writers, Thur 14 Jan 2010

Eileen Ng and Vijay Joshi argue that the recent church attacks in Malaysia are the latest sign of ‘growing hard-line Islamic influence’ there. They cite the 1969 race riots and subsequent affirmative action policy which, while generally accepted by minorities, have now begun to show cracks. Since taking office in 2009, Prime Minister Najib Razak has implemented several reforms to increase opportunities for minorities, but many are nonetheless ‘disappointed with the government’s mild reaction’ to the attacks.

http://news.yahoo..com/s/ap/20100114/ap_on_re_as/as_malaysia_feuding_over_allah

“Seeking harmony in Malaysia”

The Star Online, Wed 13 Jan 2010, Comment

Chair of the Cordoba Initiative Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf states that ‘using the word Allah to mean the Christian God may be theologically and legally correct, but in the context of Malaysia is socially provocative’. He argues that some Western churches have been evangelising across much of Asia since the end of the cold war; but also that, while there will always be some competition between religions, such competition should take place through good works and never by destroying houses of worship.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/13/focus/5458409&sec=focus

“Police protect churchgoers from protestors”

Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Mon 11 Jan 2010, Headlines

Hasyim Widhiarto reports on a service held under tight police security and with over 200 protestors outside the church recently attacked in West Java. The article highlights how the local subdistrict has granted permission for the congregation to hold services on the then empty block of land, but has yet to process the church’s building permit application.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/01/11/police-protect-churchgoers-protesters.html

“Indonesian Muslims told not to copy church attacks”

Jakarta Post, Mon 11 Jan 2010

Erwida Maulia reports on comments and advice from a number of Indonesian religious leaders following the ‘Allah row’ in Malaysia. Muslim scholar Azyumardi Azra for example urged the government to coordinate a widespread campaign against church attacks; and former Muhammadiyah chairman, M. Syafi’i Maarif, emphasized that having Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah communicate directly with their followers is a very effective way to reach the grass roots.

http://www.asianewsnet.net/news.php?id=9510&sec=1