APSN | Muslim hard-liners fail to halt 'Senyap' screening in Yogya

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Muslim hard-liners fail to halt 'Senyap' screening in Yogya

Jakarta Globe - March 11, 2015

A sign of change as Indonesian soldiers watch 'The Look of Silence' – Jakarta Globe. March 8, 2015
Indonesian soldiers ordered to watch 'The Look of Silence' – Jakarta Globe. March 4, 2015
LSF moves to silence 'Senyap' – Jakarta Post. January 10, 2015
Censorship board ban of Senyap reflects outdated New Order thinking - Hukum Online. January 5, 2015
'Senyap' film screening canceled, again – Jakarta Post. December 22, 2014

Ari Susanto, Yogyakarta – Islamic radical groups in Yogyakarta attempted to storm a screening of Joshua Oppenheimer's documentary film "Senyap" ("The Look of Silence") at Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University (UIN) on Wednesday.

The film, which tells the story of Indonesia's 1965-66 anti-communist purge from the perspective of a family member of one of the victims of the state-sponsored killings, has caused concern in some corners that the film promotes communism – which it does not.

A mob of about a hundred of people calling themselves the Yogyakarta Islamic People's Forum (FUI) and the Indonesian Anti-Communist Forum (FAKI) appeared in front of the campus after warning of their plans by SMS the previous day. However, the protesters were unable to enter the campus; security guards shut the gate at 9 a.m., an hour before the screening was to begin.

The film screening and discussion went on successfully, with students who were prepared to fight the mob blocking the campus gate to prevent a breach.

The mob outside insisted the rector disband the event, saying they believe the film aims to revive communism in Indonesia – which it does not – and revise history as they understand it – which in fact the film does, and admirably so, critics say.

Despite the screening's support from Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), the radical group argued, incorrectly, that "Senyap" was forbidden from public screening by the Film Censorship Board (LSF).

"We reject any film with communist propaganda," FAKI coordinator Burhanuddin said. "It must be terminated."

The university's rector, Ahmad Minhaji attempted shuttle diplomacy between the mobs of protesters and students, and endeavored to persuade the organizers to resume the discussion without screening the film. They did not – and pressed "play" instead.

Minhaji then met with protesters outside, whom he told that those inside were young students who only wanted to learn about and discuss history – and that the mob should not overreact with such fury.

The event's coordinator, Ahmad Haidar, said "Senyap" screenings would continue despite threats of vigilante raids by hard-line groups. "We are ready for the risk," Haidar said. "We will not concede as it is our right to fight for our academic freedom," he added.

Source: http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/islamic-hard-liners-fail-halt-senyap-screening-yogya/.