Eid al-Fitr and Reflections on the Meaning of Peace
In the atmosphere of mutual forgiveness on Eid al-Fitr, there is always hope that the world will move towards similar harmony. However, global realities often run in the opposite direction. Amid the resounding chants of takbir, the embers of conflict continue to burn, particularly in the tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
This contrast raises a fundamental question: can peace truly stand alone without the readiness to defend it? It is at this point that the classical adage “Si vis pacem, para bellum” finds profound relevance. If one desires peace, then preparedness for war becomes a necessity.
The phrase, popularised by Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus, was never intended as an invitation to wage war. On the contrary, this adage embodies a philosophical awareness that peace can only be maintained through thorough preparedness.
In the ontological dimension, “facing war” does not merely mean combat readiness, but an awareness of the existential reality of conflict in human life, nations, and states. Conflict is not an anomaly, but an inherent part of international relations. Carl von Clausewitz’s thinking affirms that war is the continuation of politics by other means. This view positions conflict as an inseparable part of global power dynamics. Thus, war cannot be reduced to a mere military event. However, without adequate military preparedness, peace will also be impossible to achieve.
Furthermore, the modern security perspective developed by Barry Buzan expands the scope of threats. Security is no longer limited to the military aspect, but extends to social, economic, and identity dimensions. In this framework, war appears as a multidimensional phenomenon involving political, moral, ideological, social, and cultural aspects. Therefore, facing war means building comprehensive preparedness against various forms of threats, both conventional, asymmetric, and hybrid.
In this framework, Prof Amarulla Octavian’s thinking in the book Philosophy of Defence Science emphasises that national defence is a collective effort involving the state, society, and individuals as an existential unity. Facing war, in the ontological sense, is an attitude of preserving the nation’s survival—not a drive to create conflict, but an awareness to maintain national existence.
For Indonesia, this awareness is deeply rooted in the principle of “loving peace but loving independence even more”. Peace is positioned as the primary goal, but it is not separated from the readiness to defend it. War becomes the last resort to safeguard sovereignty and Pancasila values.
In this context, facing war is an ontological attitude to preserve the nation’s dignity, not to foster enmity. It is here that Indonesia’s defence philosophy develops as a synthesis between Western rationality and Eastern wisdom. Deterrence becomes an instrument for preventing conflict, while values of harmony, balance, and humanity serve as the ethical foundation in the use of force. Strength is not directed towards domination, but towards maintaining balance.
The relevance of this approach is increasingly evident in the ASTACITA 2 framework, which emphasises the importance of the nation’s strategic independence. In a global landscape fraught with uncertainty, independence is not merely a choice, but a necessity. Preparedness to face threats becomes part of efforts to maintain sovereignty, while ensuring Indonesia remains steadfast in the world’s geopolitical whirlpool.
Ultimately, Eid al-Fitr is not only a spiritual celebration, but also a moment for reflection on the more profound meaning of peace. Peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the result of awareness, preparedness, and wisdom. The world may never be entirely free from conflict, but a mature civilisation is one that can nurture peace without losing vigilance.
In the light of the adage si vis pacem, para bellum, it becomes clear that true peace is born from complete preparedness—moral, intellectual, and institutional. Not to create war, but to ensure that every threat can be faced without losing dignity.
Eid al-Fitr teaches victory over oneself. On a broader scale, a nation’s victory lies in its ability to maintain peace—with controlled strength, profound wisdom, and existential awareness that peace is not a coincidence, but the result of continuously nurtured preparedness.