Religious Affairs Minister Said Agiel Munawar persuaded people to express their solidarity for Iraq in an appropriate manner.

"The government has no right to ban people from performing jihad, but it must be done in the right context," Said Agiel was quoted as saying.

Said Agiel made the remarks after certain Muslim groups, including the Justice Party and Islam Defenders Front (FPI), opened registration for volunteers to conduct a humanitarian mission or to fight together with Iraqi troops against the United States and its allies.

He said those who wish to go to Iraq would face serious problems, particularly because they have no knowledge of the battlefield or adequate equipment to help Iraqi troops.

During his visit to Yogyakarta on Monday, Defense Minister Matori Abdul Djalil said "Our religion (Islam) teaches us that upon witnessing a violation, we are only obliged to prevent it or fight against it if we have the power. But, if we don't have the power, then we are obliged to fight it with words."

Meanwhile, Ahmad Syafii Maarif, chairman of the country's second largest Muslim organization Muhammadiyah, said performing jihad in Iraq would not be effective means to stop the war.

"We don't need to do that. Let's just pray and hope that the United States will quickly stop its invasion," Syafii said.

Both Syafii and Said Agiel insisted that the war in Iraq was not related to religion.

Hasyim Muzadi, chairman of the country's largest Muslim group Nahdlatul Ulama, joined the criticism against the call for a holy war in Iraq, saying Indonesian volunteers sent to the battleground would add to Iraq's burdens.

He said Indonesians would not stand a chance in fighting in Iraq.

"The conditions are very different, Indonesians there would only burden the Iraqis, so it is better not to go," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 25, 2003)