About 10,000 high school students have attended a rally
outside the Indonesian parliament in the capital, Jakarta, urging legislators
to pass a controversial bill that regulates religious teaching in private
schools.
The crowd chanted Islamic religious songs and waved banners, some of which
supported the Muslim-based Justice Party.
The bill stipulates that all students, even in religious-based private schools,
have the right to receive instruction in their own faith.
Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim-populated nation with an estimated 90
per cent of the archipelago's 212 million people following Islam.
Objectors to the bill, including some Muslims, say the state should not get
involved in religious matters in schools.
Supporters say the bill accommodates all religions, not just Islam.
Many more Muslim children study in Christian schools than vice versa.
("Go Asia Pacific," June 10, 2003)
About 10,000 high school students have attended a rally
outside the Indonesian parliament in the capital, Jakarta, urging legislators
to pass a controversial bill that regulates religious teaching in private
schools.
The crowd chanted Islamic religious songs and waved banners, some of which
supported the Muslim-based Justice Party.
The bill stipulates that all students, even in religious-based private schools,
have the right to receive instruction in their own faith.
Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim-populated nation with an estimated 90
per cent of the archipelago's 212 million people following Islam.
Objectors to the bill, including some Muslims, say the state should not get
involved in religious matters in schools.
Supporters say the bill accommodates all religions, not just Islam.
Many more Muslim children study in Christian schools than vice versa.