Pope urges respect for prostitutes at crowded Bangkok mass

Yahoo – AFP, Catherine MARCIANO, Jenny VAUGHAN, November 21, 2019

Pope Francis arrived at the stadium in a golden robe woven for him from Thai silk
(AFP Photo/Lillian SUWANRUMPHA)

Bangkok (AFP) - Pope Francis led an impassioned mass for tens of thousands of emotional worshippers at a packed Bangkok stadium Thursday, urging respect for prostitutes and trafficking victims in a part of the world where sex work is rampant.

The remarks came at the end of a whirlwind day of meetings for Pope Francis, who is on his first trip to Buddhist-majority Thailand where he is carrying a message of religious harmony and peace.

He heads to Japan next, visiting the twin atomic bombs sites of Nagasaki and Hiroshima where he will seek a ban on "immoral" nuclear weapons.

The 82-year-old arrived at the stadium in a golden robe woven for him from Thai silk, greeting crowds of flag-waving faithful, some wiping tears from their faces at the sight of the leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics.

An estimated 60,000 worshippers gathered for the mass (AFP Photo/Mohd RASFAN)

An estimated 60,000 worshippers gathered for the mass, some pouring into a nearby stadium to watch the hymn-filled service on large screens.

Known for his down-to-earth style, the Pope did not shy away from difficult topics.

He focused on the importance of helping vulnerable children and women "who are victims of prostitution and human trafficking, humiliated in their essential human dignity".

He also referred to drug addicts, migrants and "exploited sinners and bypassed beggars".

"All of them are part of our family. They are our mothers, our brothers and sisters. Let us not deprive our communities of seeing their faces, their wounds, their smiles and their lives," said the Pope, after leading prayers.

Performers dance after a Holy Mass led by Pope Francis (AFP Photo/Lillian

SUWANRUMPHA)

The remarks were delivered in a region beloved by tourists but infamous for a thriving sex trade and unchecked human trafficking.

Prostitution is illegal in Thailand, home to at least 300,000 sex workers -- some four percent of whom are believed to be trafficked, according to official estimates.

Many women are drawn to the work because they can earn up to 10 times more than the minimum wage, and critics say some corrupt Thai authorities turn a blind eye to the thriving trade.

Earlier, the Pope praised Thailand's efforts to stamp out the "scourge" of exploitation and enslavement of women and children, urging a "dignified" future for vulnerable youth.

The Catholic Church has been shaken by child sex abuse scandals itself in recent years, with many high-profile cases brought against clergy.

Known for his down-to-earth style, the Pope did not shy away from difficult topics 

at the mass (AFP Photo/Lillian SUWANRUMPHA)

'Gift from God'

Thailand has not had a visit from a pontiff since John Paul II in 1984, and the small but spirited Catholic community was thrilled ahead of the mass.

Just over 0.5 percent of the population is Catholic but the community has been here for centuries.

For Pimrapat Panyawattanatikul, the service was her second shot at seeing a pope after John Paul II touched her head some 35 years ago.

Now she's hoping her mother will get a similar honour, with the pair sitting right on the track Francis was set to drive past in his Popemobile.

Francis paid a visit to the supreme Buddhist patriarch Somdej Phra Maha 

Muneewong at one of Bangkok's famed gilded temples (AFP Photo/Handout)

"It's a miracle we got these seats. It's my mom's dream to see the pope and to go to Italy. This is a gift from God," Pimrapat told AFP, her mother next to her clutching a rosary.

The Pope's colourful mass capped a packed schedule on the first full day of Thailand where he was welcomed Wednesday by cheering worshippers in Bangkok eager for a glimpse of his motorcade.

On Thursday Francis followed in the footsteps of John Paul II, paying a visit to the supreme Buddhist patriarch Somdej Phra Maha Muneewong at one of Bangkok's famed gilded temples.

The pair sat before a brilliant gold Buddha statue inside the ornate temple, built 150 years ago by the former Thai King -- the supreme patriarch barefoot and draped in orange robes as they spoke.

Thailand has not had a visit from a pontiff since John Paul II in 1984 (AFP Photo/

Vincenzo PINTO)

The Pope reciprocated the gesture, removing his shoes for part of the tete-a-tete.

In an earlier speech, the Pope said the meeting was "a sign of the importance and urgency of promoting friendship and inter-religious dialogue".

Nuclear ban

This visit coincides with the 350th anniversary of the founding of the "Mission de Siam", marking the first papal mission from Europe in the 17th century.

Though Christianity's first visitors were initially met with scepticism, today Thailand's nearly 400,000 Catholics face little discrimination.

Pope Francis heads to Japan next (AFP Photo/Vincenzo PINTO)

The Pope also paid a visit to Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha and King Maha Vajiralongkorn, gifting the top royal a colourful mosaic of a papal blessing in Vatican City's Saint Peter's Square.

On Friday the pontiff will host another mass, this one for young people, and meet with religious leaders in the city.

He jets to Japan Saturday, where he will visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki, both devastated when the US dropped atomic bombs at the end of World War II in 1945.

The pope, who years ago had hoped to be a missionary in Japan, has made strong calls for a ban on nuclear weapons.

Pope lands in Thailand to kick off two-country Asian tour

Yahoo – AFP, Catherine MARCIANO, November 20, 2019

The pontiff landed at Bangkok's Don Mueang International Airport, on
his third trip to Asia (AFP Photo/Vincenzo PINTO)

Pope Francis arrived in Thailand on Wednesday greeted by cheering faithful, on the first leg of an Asian tour that will sweep in Japan and carry a message of interreligious dialogue and nuclear disarmament.

The pontiff landed just after midday (0500 GMT) at Bangkok's Don Mueang International Airport, where he stepped off the plane and was met by his missionary cousin Sister Ana Rosa, who has lived in Thailand for decades.

"I am happy to see you and that you are able to be my translator," he told her, as dozens waved Thai and Vatican flags.

The welcome party included Thailand's deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak and children in traditional ethnic minority dress, one of whom Francis stopped to hug.

This will be the pope's third trip to Asia -- and his 32nd abroad -- taking him to two Buddhist-majority countries with minority Catholic populations both evangelised by Jesuit missionaries in the 16th century.

Map showing the route and dates of Pope Francis' Asia visit, 

Nov 19-26 (AFP Photo/Laurence CHU)

Francis is the first pontiff in nearly four decades to visit Thailand where the nearly 400,000-strong Catholic community makes up a little more than 0.5 percent of the population.

The last visit from a pontiff came in 1984 by Pope John Paul II.

Before his departure, Francis praised the Southeast Asian country as a "multi-ethnic nation", and hoped his trip would strengthen the Catholic community's bonds of friendship with "many Buddhist brothers and sisters".

"I trust that my visit will help to highlight the importance of inter-religious dialogue, mutual understanding and fraternal cooperation," the Pope said in the video marking his November 20-23 visit.

'Sawadee!'

Francis' visit has stirred excitement among Thailand's Catholic community, who made a strong show of force on Wednesday waiting for his motorcade near the Vatican City embassy in Bangkok.

A costumed mascot and children yelling 'Sawadee Pa! (Hello Father)' 

greeted Pope Francis in Bangkok (AFP Photo/Lillian SUWANRUMPHA)

They included a costumed mascot made to resemble Francis and children yelling "Sawadee Pa! (Hello Father)".

Sister Ana Rosa told AFP she did not have time to catch up with her cousin after his arrival as the 82-year-old pontiff was resting following the long overnight flight from Rome.

"I am happy for all the Thai people" to witness his visit, she said.

On Thursday, he will meet with the 20th Supreme Patriarch Somdej Phra Maha Muneewong -- the head of Thailand's Buddhist clergy.

He will also have meetings with Thailand's prime minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha and King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

His day will end with a holy mass at the national stadium, where tens of thousands are expected to attend from many walks of life, including ethnic Karen Christians from northern Thailand, Vietnamese Catholic refugees living in Bangkok, and faithful from all over Southeast Asia.

Pope Francis is the first pontiff in nearly four decades 

to visit Thailand (AFP Photo/Vincenzo PINTO)

On Friday, the pope's day will be filled meeting with priests and bishops of Thailand, and it will end with a youth-oriented mass at a cathedral.

On Saturday, the pontiff will fly to Japan where he will visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki, two cities devastated when the US dropped atomic bombs at the end of World War II in 1945.

More than 140,000 people were killed in Hiroshima, while the port city of Nagasaki suffered a death toll of 74,000.

The pope, who years ago had hoped to be a missionary in Japan, has made strong calls for the ban of the "immoral" use of nuclear weapons.

Since Francis' election six years ago, he has made two trips to Asia, visiting the Philippines and Sri Lanka in 2014, followed by Myanmar and Bangladesh in 2017.

Related Article:

Pope to visit Hiroshima on anti-nuclear weapon mission

Pope Francis had hoped years ago to be a missionary in Japan, a country

the pontiff is to visit this week as he seeks a ban on nuclear weapons

(AFP Photo/Vincenzo PINTO)

UN chief urges Myanmar to halt attacks on Rohingya

Yahoo – AFP, September 13, 2017

Rohingya Muslim refugees disembark from a boat on the Bangladeshi side of
Naf river on September 12, 2017 (AFP Photo/MUNIR UZ ZAMAN)

UN chief Antonio Guterres acknowledged Wednesday that Rohingya Muslims were being ethnically cleansed in Myanmar as he called for a halt to a military campaign in Rakhine state.

Speaking ahead of a Security Council meeting to discuss the worsening humanitarian crisis there, Guterres described reports of security forces attacking civilians in Rakhine as "disturbing" and "completely unacceptable."

"I call on the Myanmar authorities to suspend military action, end the violence, uphold the rule of law and recognize the right of return of all those who had to leave the country," the secretary general said in a press conference.

Asked if he agreed the Rohingya population was being ethnically cleansed, he replied: "When one-third of the Rohingya population has got to flee the country, can you find a better word to describe it?"

The crackdown by Myanmar's army, which followed attacks by Rohingya militants late last month, has prompted around 380,000 to flee across the border into neighboring Bangladesh.

Guterres called for authorities "to assure the delivery of vital humanitarian aid" in Rakhine state, with thousands of Rohingya still crossing the border every day.

The 1.1-million strong Rohingya have suffered years of discrimination in Myanmar, where they are denied citizenship even though many have longstanding roots in the country.

But Guterres said that the Myanmar government should either grant the Rohingya nationality or legal status that would allow them to live a normal life.

- UN meets behind closed doors -

Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been widely condemned for a lack of moral leadership and compassion in the face of the crisis, denting the Nobel peace laureate's reputation.

However Suu Kyi, Myanmar's first civilian leader in decades, has no control over the powerful military, which ran the country for 50 years before elections in 2015.

The Security Council met behind closed doors at the request of Britain and Sweden to try to agree on a response to the crisis, but diplomats said they expected China and Russia to resist calls for a strong statement.

"We need to see an end to the violence. We need to see immediate and widespread access to humanitarian aid and relief for the people of Burma and the people of Rakhine," British Deputy UN Ambassador Jonathan Allen told reporters ahead of the meeting, referring to Myanmar by its name under British colonial rule.

Swedish Ambassador Olof Skoog said he hoped for a "unified outcome" and "clear messages about what needs to happen now."

That message should be that "the military campaign that we have seen is stopped and that there is full respect for human rights and international humanitarian law," said Skoog.

Related Article:

UN warns of 'ethnic cleansing' of Myanmar's Muslims

Hometown diplomacy a highlight of Modi's Xi'an tour

Want China Times, Xinhua 2015-05-15

Xi Jinping, left, and Narendra Modi visit the Da Ci'en Temple, May 14. (Photo/CNS)

Chinese president Xi Jinping met with visiting Indian prime minister Narendra Modi in Xi'an, capital city of Shaanxi province and Xi's hometown, on Thursday afternoon.

"This is the first time I have hosted a foreign leader in my hometown and I hope you have a happy stay," Xi said at the start of the meeting.

Xi welcomed Modi and thanked him for the warm reception he received on his India visit in September, when the Indian PM accompanied him to visit his home state of Gujarat.

"That left me with a deep impression," Xi said.

In September, Xi and Modi "reached an important consensus on promoting a bilateral strategic partnership of cooperation and forging a closer partnership of development," according to the president.

Both sides have maintained frequent high-level contact and engagement, promoted cooperation in priority areas including construction of railways and industrial parks, strengthened exchanges, controlled border areas, Xi said.

China-India relations are experiencing stable development and facing broad prospects, he added, predicting that Modi's visit will strengthen the partnership.

Xi called on the two countries to look at their ties from a long-term perspective, strengthen coordination on global and regional affairs, and "steer the international order to develop in a fairer direction".

The two countries could strengthen communication on the New Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and Modi's Act East policy, find areas of common interest, and hone a mode of cooperation with reciprocal benefit, Xi said.

He said the two countries should seek common ground in their respective development strategies to jointly promote the region's economic integration and contribute to global economic growth.

He called for more bilateral cooperation in areas including railways, industrial parks, urbanization and training, pledging to encourage Chinese companies to invest in India.

The president also expressed hope that the two countries can trust each other more and control their disputes to avoid weakening bilateral ties.

Xi also called on the two countries to strengthen exchanges between media, think tanks and young people to promote mutual understanding.

Calling China a great neighbor, Modi said India was ready to communicate and cooperate more closely with China, increase cultural exchanges and properly handle disputes.

He also voiced hope for more bilateral trade and closer cooperation with China within the AIIB.

He said he believed the AIIB will play an important role in regional economic and social development and that India welcomes China to increase its investment in the country.

With regard to South Asia, Xi said that China has close relationships in the area and supports the region. China is ready to strengthen reciprocal cooperation with all South Asian nations and promote the region's peace, stability and prosperity, he said.

Modi echoed Xi, saying India attaches high importance to communication in South Asia. India is ready to cooperate with China concerning the Belt and Road Initiative to promote the region's development and prosperity, he said.

After their meeting, Xi accompanied Modi to the Da Ci'en Temple and the Wild Goose Pagoda, where the famous Chinese Buddhist monk Xuan Zang presided over translation of Buddhist scriptures and expounded Buddhist doctrines in the Tang Dynasty.

The Da Ci'en Temple has witnessed a long history of friendly exchanges between China and India, said Xi, vowing to push forward the friendly ties between the two countries.

Modi said he was deeply impressed by the Xi'an visit and presented saplings of Bodhi tree to the temple.

Xi said the Bodhi trees given by former Indian prime Minister Javaharlal Nehru in 1954 continue to thrive today and have become a telling symbol of the friendship between the two peoples.

After the visit, Modi was accorded a traditional Tang Dynasty welcome at the Xi'an city wall and Xi welcomed him at the watchtower of the wall.

The two leaders also enjoyed an art performance staged by Chinese artists.

This three-day tour is Modi's first China visit. Premier Li Keqiang and top legislator Zhang Dejiang will also meet him in Beijing on Friday.

India’s prime minister Narendra Modi and China’s premier Li Keqiang at a joint
press conference. Photograph: Liu Weibing/Xinhua Press/Corbis

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United Nations too Christian, claims report

Study calls for greater religious tolerance with Hinduism and Buddhism under-represented and funding a major issue

theguardian.com, Press Association, Wednesday 1 January 2014

The report says while the UN represents all religions, there are 'structural and
historical differences' that need addressing. Photograph: Carlo Allegri/Reuters/Corbis

Christianity dominates the United Nations and more diversity is needed to increase non-Christian representation in world peacemaking, according to a study.

Research undertaken by Prof Jeremy Carrette, with colleagues from the University of Kent's department of religious studies, has revealed that more than 70% of religious non-government organisations (NGOs) at the UN are Christian, and that there is historical privilege in allowing the Vatican a special observer status, as both a state and a religion.

The report, called Religious NGOs and the United Nations, calls for greater awareness, transparency and equality in the way religious NGOs operate within the UN, and more emphasis on religious tolerance.

The report also asks for greater understanding of how religions enhance and constrain human rights. It provides evidence that funding limits other religious traditions from establishing NGO work at the UN.

Islam, is represented more significantly through a collective of states (the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation) rather than civil society NGOs, which are dominated by Catholic groups, according to the report.

Asian religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, are under-represented and funding is a major issue in preventing their equal access, it said.

Carrette said: "It would seem there needs to be more of a 'global goodwill' to make the UN system work for all religions equally, and for religions to follow and share equally UN goals for peace and justice.

"The report highlights that while all religions are represented in some way in the peacemaking system of the UN, there are structural and historical differences that need to be addressed.

"It also shows that religions form an important part of international global politics and that in a global world we need to establish a new pluralistic contract for equal access for all religions to the UN system.

"This must also entail religious groups working towards the ideals of the UN, in terms of human rights, fairness and justice for all men and women."

The report questions claims by the Christian right that new age cults run the UN , saying evidence suggests these are greatly misjudged and erroneous.

It also shows the number of inter-faith and new age NGOs is very small, and religious NGOs in total form only 7.29% of the total of consultative status NGOs at the UN.

But despite their small size, some religious NGOs can have a far greater influence, the research suggests. Among the most active religious NGO groups are Catholics, Quakers and the Baha'i faith, which have some of the highest number of meetings with UN diplomats.

Related Article:

"THE RECALIBRATION OF BELIEF"– Aug 18, 2013 (Kryon Channelling by Lee Carroll)

INSIGHT: Interfaith dialogue: The need to tackle some thorny issues

Bahtiar Effendy, The Jakarta Post, JAKARTA | Sat, 03/14/2009 10:24 AM  

Nobody knows exactly when and if the United Nations will eventually declare this year the start of a decade of interfaith dialogue. The idea of making it this year has been considered by those who are actively engaged in religious dialogue and cooperation of people of different faiths. Indeed, interfaith dialogue has become fashionable in the last few years. Even world leaders are now beginning to realize and take into account the importance of dialogue among people of different faiths. 

It is an irony, but Samuel Huntington deserves part of the credit. The recent surge in religious dialogue has been made possible in part by his provocative observation on the clash of civilizations. Certainly, the dreadful attacks on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center (WTC) on Sept. 11, 2001 solidified the importance of interfaith dialogue. 

But interest in religious dialogue is by no means a novel issue. Long before, the importance of religious dialogue had been raised by several institutions such as the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP) as well as the Asian Conference on Religion and Peace (ACRP). Countries that became members of these organizations developed their own organizations with the same interest. 

Indonesia is no exception. A home to nearly 240 million people, it not only comprises multi-ethnic groups, but also different religious denominations with Islam being the religion of the majority. Without proper management, these ethno-religious cleavages could be a nightmare for whoever controls the state as they may well serve as a source of tension.

So, concern over religious harmony has been part of the government policy. Historically, tensions involving the existing religious denominations had occurred in pre-independent Indonesia. They were not necessarily religious in nature, but often related to politics. The struggle for political authority in Java in the 15th century, for instance, had involved peoples with different religious beliefs. This sorry phenomenon continued well after independence. The debate over national ideology, on what sort of ideology the Indonesian state should be based (i.e. Islam or Pancasila) had created tension between Muslims and non-Muslims. This politically motivated tension reached its height in the ‘50s. 

Although such tension subsided in the 1960s, partly because of President Sukarno’s decision to bring the debate to a halt, different forms of religious tension began to develop. Most of the time, these religious conflicts involved proselytization activities, building places of worship (mosques and churches in particular) and overseas donations. Once in a while, tension among different religious adherents heightened because of different interests in legal arrangements. Because of this, many are of the opinion that religious tension has become an imminent issue.

This has made the government take necessary measures to prevent or minimize conflict. In this regard, at least three major measures have been taken. First, recognizing the existing religions; previously, recognition was given only to Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Only recently has Confucianism also been recognized. Second, establishing inter-religious forums. Third, encouraging and sponsoring dialogue.

Unfortunately, this has been the concern of primarily the Ministry of Religious Affairs. It had never been the concern of any other Ministries until a few years ago, when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarded interfaith dialogue as part of its public diplomacy. Working with its counterparts in Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines, the Netherlands, the Vatican, Canada and Italy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has regularly conducted interfaith dialogue meetings.

But it is actually the NGOs that have a far deeper concern over the imminent nature of religious tension and conflict. Many socio-religious organizations such as the Muhammadiyah, the Nahdlatul Ulama, the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI), the Indonesian Council of Bishops (KWI), the Indonesia Confucianism High Assembly (Matakin), the Indonesian Buddhist Association (Walubi), etc. are actively involved in interfaith dialogue.

Their main concern has been to encourage dialogue among different religious denominations so that they can arrive at a common platform that regulates their activities. They believe through dialogue they can understand the issues and problems better. It opens up a window of opportunity to reach a common understanding that is instrumental in solving whatever problems they are facing. Through dialogue, it is hoped that religious conflict can be avoided.

There are many issues being addressed by those who are engaged in the campaign for interfaith dialogue. These include religious freedom, human rights, religious cooperation, respect for others’ beliefs, disarmament, globalization and so on and so forth.

Unfortunately, they often fail to tackle some thorny and burning issues that may well have served as sources of tension and conflict. These issues usually do not concern theological or philosophical matters in religions, but practical ones. Cases in point are, as mentioned earlier, building places of worship, religious proselytization activities, burial, or overseas donations. Because of that, they fall short of taking the necessary steps to solve the above practical problems.

It is comforting to know that interest in religious dialogues is on the rise. Yet at the same time, religious leaders are confronted with the question of the sustainability of a dialogue. Often, a dialogue is not conducted at regular intervals, so then different people are involved. They are inclined to start from scratch, which has hampered the further development of a dialogue.

Unless some kind of permanent working group is set up, and thorny issues are being discussed, interfaith dialogue will have no significant impact in our effort to create a peaceful coexistence among people of different religious beliefs. 

The writer is a professor of political science at the State Islamic University (UIN), Jakarta.

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Leaders say religious harmony a blessing

SBY touts Asia as new power, dismisses radicalism threat

Desy Nurhayati and Hyginus Hardoyo, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali | Thu, 12/11/2008 7:40 AM 

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono believes Asia is replacing the West as the world’s center of power and that Indonesia is well geared to address a growing tendency toward fundamentalism. 

“There has been a kind of changing global landscape, a shifting of the central power from the United States and Europe to Asia over the last 15 years,” Yudhoyono told a joint press conference on the sidelines of the inaugural session of the Bali Democracy Forum on Wednesday. 

The inaugural session, entitled “Building and Consolidating Democracy: A Strategic Agenda for Asia”, was attended by foreign ministers and delegates from at least 32 countries and three heads of state — Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of Australia and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao of Timor Leste. 

Yudhoyono said that the forum, which is open to all Asian countries and will regularly gather country representatives at the ministerial level, constituted Indonesia’s contribution to Asia’s transition into a new era. 

The President also launched the Institute for Peace and Democracy on the campus of state-run Udayana University in Jimbaran, Bali. 

“This (Asian) region will be very dynamic in the future, especially in terms of politics, culture and economy and technology,” he said, describing the region as a melting pot for various civilizations. 

“Indonesia itself is in the process of a transformation to build a better democracy and create harmony among its plural society,” he said. 

Indonesia, he continued, had strategic policies in place to maintain pluralism and avoid a tendency toward fundamentalism. 

“Indonesia is a unique blend of Islamic, oriental and western civilizations with Hindu and Buddhist influences coming to our people in the third century. Islam arrived in the 13th century, and Western civilization came in the 17th century, first in the form of colonialism but later in the form of modern nationalism,” he said. 

Over the centuries, the Indonesian archipelago absorbed influences from those civilizations, Yudhoyono said, adding that there was always the possibility that such influences could collide but that Indonesian democracy was providing a home for those cultures and religions to blend harmoniously. 

“Our present democracy is now 10 years old, born in the aftermath of a financial crisis that gave birth to the reform movement. 

He said Indonesia had progressed in leaps and bounds in its democratic transition, but that there was still much more to be done. 

“The Bali Democracy Forum comes forth because we realize the need for an organized learning process and comprehensive dialogue on democracy. A high level dialogue which is wider, more inclusive and more focused than any that has been attempted before,”  Yudhoyono said. 

Ni Komang Erviani contributed to this article from Jimbaran, Bali.

AP Interview: UN Myanmar envoy frustrated at slow progress in reforms

The Jakarta Post

JAKARTA (AP): A U.N. envoy said Friday he is frustrated with Myanmar's slow progress toward democracy, but is hopeful that Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi will be allowed to take part in planned elections.

Ibrahim Gambari is on a tour of Asia aimed at encouraging regional leaders to do more to press for change in Myanmar. He made the remarks after meeting Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono shakes hands with UN envoy to Myanmar Ibrahim Gambari at the presidential office in Jakarta (2/22).(FOTO ANTARA/Rumgapres/Haryanto)

"Sometimes, I myself am frustrated that the tangible results are not faster or we have not achieved more, but we have to build on what we have and continue to press for more results," Gambari said in an interview.

He said he expected to visit Myanmar in the first week of March to resume talks with the country's military rulers, but complained of the restrictions the junta placed on him when he was there on previous trips.

"I'm asking to be allowed to see more people, with more freedom and to stay longer, that's my wish," he said.

In a surprise announcement earlier this month, Myanmar said it will hold a May referendum on a new constitution written under military guidance, and will hold elections in 2010 - the first specific dates for steps in an earlier-announced "roadmap to democracy."

Under the new constitution, Suu Kyi would not be allowed to run in the election because she was once married to a foreign citizen - her late husband was British - and enjoyed the privileges of a foreign national.

The plans have been widely criticized for failing to include any input from Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy, which complained Monday that the junta's recent moves toward reform were not enough.

Gambari said he "hoped" that Suu Kyi, who remains under house arrest, would be allowed to take part in the polls. He said Thursday he would raise the issue with the junta during his upcoming visit.

Suu Kyi's party won general elections in 1990 but was not allowed by the military to take power. She has been under house arrest or in prison for more than 12 of the past 18 years.

Myanmar sparked global outrage in September when the junta crushed protests led by Buddhist monks. The U.N. estimates at least 31 people were killed and thousands more were detained in the crackdown.

Malaysia backpedals on Allah ban for Christian paper, renews its permit

The Jakarta Post

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): A Roman Catholic newspaper said Monday the government has reversed its decision to ban the publication over its use of the word "Allah," easing a row that strained racial harmony in the multiethnic country.

In a surprising about-turn over the weekend, the government renewed The Herald weekly's 2008 permit without any conditions, said its editor Rev. Lawrence Andrew.

"There are no conditions, there was no mention of the Allah ban," he told The Associated Press.

Internal security officials declined to comment when contacted.

The ministry had repeatedly warned The Herald that its printing permit may be revoked if it continued to use "Allah" as a synonym for God in its Malay-language section. After The Herald refused, it was told in early December that its Malay-language section would be banned from January.

All publications in Malaysia require a government permit, which is renewed annually.

The government said "Allah" refers to the Muslim God and can only be used by Muslims.

Allah, an Arabic word, means God in Bahasa Melayu also, the language of Malays who are Muslims and form 60 percent of Malaysia's 27 million people. Officials feared that using the word Allah in Christian literature would confuse the Malays and draw them to Christianity.

Malaysian Christians have argued that Allah is an Arabic word that was used by Christians before Islam. Even in Malaysia, Malay-speaking Christians have used the word Allah for generations.

"You can't deny a people the use of its language," said Andrew, adding that the community is grateful the ban was not imposed. "It was certainly a good thing for the country as a whole that we can accept one another. We need to be moderate and have tolerance."

The Herald, which has a circulation of 12,000 copies, publishes reports in four languages - English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil - for the country's 900,000 Catholics.

The Herald will, however, pursue its court action to get a legal endorsement for what it says is its Constitutional right to use "Allah," Andrew said.

A church in Sabah state in eastern Malaysia has also sued the government for preventing it from using the word "Allah" in its Malay-language literature. The church has not received any notification that they can use the literature and they say the ban violates the freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution.

Religion issues are extremely sensitive in Malaysia, where minorities often complain that their rights are trampled upon by overzealous Muslim bureaucrats with Islamic leanings. They accuse the government of not doing enough to prevent this, and of tacitly taking part in the alleged discrimination.

The minorities are mostly ethnic Chinese, who follow Christianity and Buddhism and account for 25 percent of the population, followed by ethnic Indians who are mostly Hindus and are 10 percent.

'Tolerance, equality' key to peace in Medan

Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan

Christians across Indonesia are placing their faith in security officers for a peaceful Christmas. In Medan, North Sumatra, trust in fellow community members of different religions and ethnicities seems to have been the bedrock of peace here.

On Sunday afternoon Seni Juniati Sinuraya and a number of young friends were still busy preparing Christmas ornaments at the Stasi Santo Paulus Catholic Church in the Padang Bulan area.

Twenty others were still in a meeting for preparations.

Chief organizer Juniati Sinuraya said there were no constraints so far in celebrating Christmas, for which mass will be held Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

Some 150 families will attend, he said, while organizers are working closely with security people and the surrounding community.

"Hopefully like each year there will be no disruptions," Juniati said. "Locals here are highly tolerant."

An anthropologist at Medan State University, Albinus Silalahi, said religious tolerance in the province was high compared to other areas in the country.

He said mutual appreciation of followers of different faiths here contributed to the continuing harmony in North Sumatra.

"Mutual appreciation ... is a strong factor here, made possible by a degree of equality in various areas of life," he said.

The lecturer cited a fairly equal proportion of different groups represented in the bureaucracy and in the private sector despite the dominance of Muslims, reaching over 65 percent.

Current governor Rudolf Pardede is Christian, while Provincial Secretary Muchyan Tambuse is Muslim.

The statistics bureau lists some 12.6 million residents of North Sumatra, comprising 11 ethnic groups.

Muslims make up 65.45 percent, Catholics number 4.78 percent, Protestants 26.6 percent, Hindus 0.19 percent, Buddhists 2.82 percent and "others" 0.14 percent.

Various religious celebrations have been known to be peaceful, Albinus added.

Police and special anti terror forces are nevertheless on the alert in and around the capital.

Medan Police chief Sr.Comr. Bambang Sukamto said security authorities were ordered to "shoot on sight" if necessary anyone suspected of attacking Christmas celebrations.