Religious pluralism doesn't stir conflict, say experts<\/p>\n
SURABAYA, East Java (JP): Different doctrines and religious
\nteachings have never before incited conflict in Indonesia,
\nexperts concluded here yesterday.<\/p>\n
The experts argue that conflict is mostly triggered by
\nviolations to the political and ethical commitment long shared by
\nthe public.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesian society is pluralistic by birth and has never
\nexperienced crisis due to religious rifts,\" said Chairman of
\nNational Commission on Human Rights Munawir Sjadzali, a speaker
\nat yesterday's discussion on human rights and religious
\npluralism.<\/p>\n
The discussion featured scholars from several universities,
\nmembers of the human rights commission and observers.<\/p>\n
Munawir, a former minister of religious affairs, said the
\nriots which recently broke out in several cities had nothing to
\ndo with religious conflict.<\/p>\n
Baharuddin Lopa, secretary-general of the human rights
\ncommission, said the situations exploded due to the increasing
\nsocial disparity.<\/p>\n
Another speaker, Tolchah Hasan, rector of Islamic University
\nin Malang, East Java, supported Munawir's opinion, saying the
\nhypothesis had been raised by experts were discussing religion
\nand peace in Cairo 27 years ago.<\/p>\n
Tolchah said the foreign experts blamed the tension on the
\nconflicting interests between the power holders and their people
\nand mismatching ideals of Westerners and people in developing
\ncountries.<\/p>\n
\"Islam believes that religious pluralism is sunnatullah (the
\nlaws of Allah) and we should cultivate it wisely,\" Tolchah said.<\/p>\n
Tolchah said harmony within society could only exist if
\nreligious followers showed respect for others right's to embrace
\nother faiths.<\/p>\n
\"Freedom of faith, the most basic of human rights, will help a
\nnation maintain its integrity,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Lopa agreed, but said an independent forum of religious
\nleaders should be set up in each district throughout the country
\nto secure harmony among their followers.<\/p>\n
\"Such a forum will serve as a place for people to raise their
\ncomplaints and as a tool for noticing problems threatening
\nrelations between religious believers,\" Lopa said.<\/p>\n
He said that such a forum already existed at national level,
\nbut has yet to function as expected.<\/p>\n
\"It's not an easy, because encouraging mutual trust between
\nreligious leaders always takes time,\" Lopa said.<\/p>\n
Yusril Izha Mahendra of the Jakarta-based University of
\nIndonesia said freedom of faith badly needed a democratic state
\nof mind.<\/p>\n
\"The government is responsible for enhancing democracy. It can
\nset up a wise and just mechanism to guide religious followers to
\nlive together in harmony,\" he said. (25\/amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/religious-pluralism-doesnt-stir-conflict-say-experts-1447893297",
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