Tolerance vital to maintaining unity: Soeharto<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto underlined yesterday the
\nimportance of tolerance, brotherhood and mutual cooperation among
\nIndonesians in a bid to help maintain national unity.<\/p>\n
Solid unity among Indonesians is needed because, as a
\npluralistic nation, Indonesia consists of people of different
\nreligions and races, he said in his address at a grand religious
\npresentation organized by the Indonesian contact board of the
\nMajelis Taklim members, a Moslem study group usually referred to
\nas a female group, at Senayan Stadium in Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The presentation, attended by more than 150,000 Majelis Taklim
\nmembers from Greater Jakarta, West Java, Sumatra and Sulawesi, is
\none of a series of grand parties held over the last few days to
\ncommemorate the 50th anniversary of Indonesia's independence.<\/p>\n
\"For us, plurality is not a problem. It even leads us to be
\nmore open, mature and dynamic,\" the President said.<\/p>\n
\"We accept the plurality as God's blessing. Do not make the
\ndifferences among us wider, so that plurality may seem like the
\nrainbow's colors in the sky,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Other high-ranking guests at the party included First Lady
\nTien Soeharto, Vice-President and Mrs. Try Sutrisno,
\nMinister\/State Secretary Moerdiono, Minister of Religious Affairs
\nTarmizi Taher and Minister of Research and Technology B.J.
\nHabibie and Jakarta Governor Surjadi Soedirdja.<\/p>\n
The party was opened by Moerdiono in his capacity as the
\nchairman of the national committee of the 50th Indonesian
\nIndependence Day celebrations, who beat a big mosque drum to
\nsignal the start of the event.<\/p>\n
Following Moerdiono's lead, 24 drummers began beating drums.
\nSpontaneous applause broke out among the participants who cheered
\nthe opening of the grand religious presentation.<\/p>\n
Four youths displayed pencak silat, a traditional form of
\nself-defense, on a stage before the podium where the high
\nofficials were seated. Balloons were released into the air.<\/p>\n
The drum performance was followed by marching music played by
\na band, with cheerful songs taken from different provinces of
\nIndonesia, such as North Sumatra, South Kalimantan and Maluku.<\/p>\n
About 3,000 pupils from Islamic schools wearing colorful
\nuniforms marched to the music.<\/p>\n
The joyful situation turned solemn when two women started
\nreciting verses from the Koran together.<\/p>\n
All participants kept silent except for the peddlers of
\nrefreshments.<\/p>\n
Chairwoman of the Majelis Taklim Contact Board Tutty Alawiyah
\nopened her speech with a prayer, repeated by those attending.<\/p>\n
According to Tutty, the Majelis Taklim Contact Board performs
\nother religious duties. Other regular activities of the board
\ninclude granting scholarships to orphaned children and assisting
\npoor people.<\/p>\n
The presentation continued with the forming of configurations
\nby 4,000 female participants wearing white Moslem dresses
\nembellished with red and yellow shawls.<\/p>\n
In a separate performance, 2,000 female and 500 male students
\nof Islamic schools shaped different configurations accompanied by
\nsongs.<\/p>\n
The presentation was closed with a speech by Minister of
\nResearch and Technology Habibie, who spoke about the importance
\nof faith, supported by a knowledge of technology, among
\nIndonesian Moslems.<\/p>\n
Satisfaction<\/p>\n
As President Soeharto left, the two-hour presentation most of
\nthe participants also left, although the event was not finished.
\nOutside the stadium where the event was held most participants
\nkept busy with shopping since a number of street vendors had set
\nup makeshift stalls offering wares ranging from Moslem religious
\ntrappings, such as rosaries and praying mats, to apparel and
\nrefreshments.<\/p>\n
Most of the participants, however, were satisfied with the
\ngrand presentation.<\/p>\n
\"It was great. I liked the whole program,\" said Titin, a woman
\nfrom Bekasi. She said she had paid Rp 15,000 including Rp 2,500
\nfor the ticket to attend the presentation.<\/p>\n
The same opinion was expressed by a participant from Bogor,
\nwho added that she enjoyed the performance though she could not
\nget a seat.<\/p>\n
\"I sat on the stadium stairs,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Many participants did not get seats since the Senayan stadium
\ncould accommodate only 100,000 people at the most.<\/p>\n
Most of those who were less fortunate had to sit on the stairs
\nwhile others kept standing throughout the presentation.<\/p>\n
A participant from Jakarta fainted and was treated by
\nparamedics in a specially equipped van provided for emergencies
\noutside the stadium.<\/p>\n
Another participant from Bandung was exited about the grand
\npresentation. \"I am very happy because it was so festive. In
\naddition, I could see many government officials here,
\nparticularly the President and Vice-President,\" Supiah said.<\/p>\n
An old lady from Cibinong said she enjoyed the presentation
\nalthough she had to climb many stairs to get to her seat.<\/p>\n
\"I had to go up many stairs to get to the seat. I was late.
\nWhen I came here the seats that were left were located high up,\"
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
A group of participants from North Jakarta expressed their
\nsatisfaction and said they would wait for the next presentation
\nand attend.<\/p>\n
In streets surrounding the Senayan stadium, Saturday's grand
\npresentation caused huge traffic jams which lasted for more than
\nan hour. (01)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tolerance-vital-to-maintaining-unity-soeharto-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}