'Meetings are needed between people of different faiths'

Some Muslim hard-line groups have forced several Christian places of worship to close on the grounds that they lack a permit. The fact is that the prevailing regulations make it difficult for minority groups to get permits for their places of worship as it requires approval from the majority of the residents in the area. The Jakarta Post interviewed some people to seek their thoughts on the issue.

Ririn, 25, works at a bank on Jl. Gajah Mada, Central Jakarta. She lives in Petamburan subdistrict, also in Central Jakarta:

Although we have long campaigned for tolerance among different religions and faiths, there is still suspicion among us.

The attacks by Muslim groups against premises used as houses of worship of other religions is a clear indication of such suspicion and prejudice.

Many Muslims fear that religious services in those houses in their neighborhood would be followed by efforts to convert local Muslims to Christianity.

I think such suspicion still exists in our society. Therefore, dialog among people of different faiths is important to ensure that people are free to perform their religious services.

I agree that the joint ministerial decree on the establishment of houses of worship should be revised. But I do not agree that it should be annulled because it may worsen the conflict in society.

Hermanus, 35, is a manager at a private company on Jl. Sudirman. He lives in Bintaro Jaya housing complex, Tangerang:

The joint ministerial decree on houses of worship is the source of the problem of attacks against churches and other Christian houses of worship.

Therefore, the government must revoke the decree.

Because of the decree, people can easily prohibit others from performing religious services.

I know that there are still problems of trust among believers of different religions. So I think regular meetings among us in a neighborhood may help to ease any friction that occurs because of our differences.

We hold such meetings here in my neighborhood, so I never find any problem although I am a non-Muslim.

-- The Jakarta Post