'Get to know local communities'<\/p>\n
Some hard-line groups have closed down several Christian places
\nof worship on the grounds that they lack licenses. Although the
\nplaces in question did actually lack licenses, still the events
\nhave once again raised concerns over religious tolerance here,
\nespecially given that it is very difficult for minority groups to
\nget licenses for their places of worship. The Jakarta Post
\ninterviewed some people to find out what they think about the
\nissue.<\/p>\n
Septi Sustanti, 28, works for an education consultancy firm
\nin Kelapa Gading, and lives in Cempaka Baru, East Jakarta:<\/p>\n
Personally, I think the problem lies in poor communications
\nwith local communities.<\/p>\n
Perhaps local communities think that they are not given due
\nrespect as these minority groups do not ask for their permission
\nwhen building places of worship in their neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
If these minority groups ask for permission from local
\ncommunity members, I am sure these problems would be avoided. I
\nthink it is essential to get permission from the local community
\nbefore one establishes a place of worship in a neighborhood.<\/p>\n
While it may sound a little bid silly to ask for permission
\nfrom other people to build a place of worship, it is nevertheless
\nimportant for maintaining good relations with members of the
\nlocal community.<\/p>\n
Annisa Hanum, 22, is a student at the University of Indonesia.
\nShe lives in Petukangan Selatan, South Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I don't have any objection to having different places of
\nworship in my neighborhood.<\/p>\n
However, one should seek permission from the local community
\nunit before building a place of worship in the neighborhood.<\/p>\n
Later on, the members of the congregation will need to conform
\nwith local rules and mingle with the people from the neighborhood
\nso that the locals don't suspect them as being dangerous to the
\ncommunity.<\/p>\n
Moreover, it would be better if they conducted their
\nactivities at a reasonable hour so as not to disturb others.<\/p>\n
However, if the problems still persist after all of these
\nthings have been done, then I would suspect that the problem has
\nsomething to do with politics.<\/p>\n
--The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/get-to-know-local-communities-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }