\"Religious conflicts fueled by politics\"<\/p>\n
Members of Muslim groups took the initiative to help provide
\nsecurity for Christians during Christmas celebrations at churches
\nand other places across the country. The Jakarta Post asked some
\nresidents their opinion on the issue as religious tolerance made
\na comeback.<\/p>\n
J. Setiadi, 40, is a resident of Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD)
\nhousing complex in Tangerang regency. He works as a financial
\nconsultant in a foreign company on Jl. Gatot Subroto:<\/p>\n
Thank God that Christmas celebrations took place peacefully.
\nWe hope that there will also no violence during the New Year's
\neve celebration and afterward.<\/p>\n
I believe that most of Indonesian people have a great amount
\nof tolerance toward believers of other religions. Only a small
\nnumber of people do not respect other religions, most of those
\nhave a poor education.<\/p>\n
Therefore, we must push the government to give serious
\nattention to the education sector. The most important thing is
\nthat all people, including children from low-income families, can
\ngo to schools.<\/p>\n
It is good news that Jakarta will have free education at state
\nelementary and junior high schools. I hope that it will be
\nfollowed by other regions.<\/p>\n
With better education, it is hoped that radicalism will not
\nremain long in the country.<\/p>\n
Basir Abdullah, 35, is an employee at a private bank on Jl.
\nGajah Mada, West Jakarta. He lives in Kebayoran Lama, South
\nJakarta:<\/p>\n
Religious tolerance? There is no problem with that in the
\ncountry. Indonesians, who consist of various groups of believers,
\nhave lived in peaceful co-existence for a long time.<\/p>\n
Religions, I believe, are not the root of the problems, as has
\nbeen claimed in the Maluku and Poso (Central Sulawesi) conflicts.
\nCertain parties create and fuel religious violence to achieve
\npolitical ends.<\/p>\n
Let me tell you that in my neighborhood, there are two or
\nthree families who are not Muslims. But, there is no problem
\namong us.<\/p>\n
-- The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/religious-conflicts-fueled-by-politics-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }