Mega calls for peace and unity

JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri called on Muslims on Tuesday to show that Islam is a religion of peace and that Muslims can live side by side with other believers.

Speaking during the commemoration of Nuzulul Qur'an (the event when Prophet Mohammad received the word of God), Megawati said that Islam taught its believers to accept differences among people.

"Koran calls on the people to live in peace and maintain brotherhood among nations of the world," the President said.

"It is our duty to develop the attitude to accept and understand each other, despite racial and religious differences," she stressed.

The President was making the speech in front of thousands of people attending the Islamic commemoration at the Istiqal Grand Mosque.

The celebration falls on the 17th day of the fasting month of Ramadhan.

She also stressed that Islam taught its followers to show their love and respect for the country.

"It is in our faith that we have to maintain spirit and responsibility to defend the territorial integrity of the country," the President said.

The government has recently extended martial law in Aceh to crush the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

Aceh is the only province in the country that upholds the Islamic sharia law.

"The 1945 Constitution is in line with the Koran, so maintaining national unity is not too much to ask from Muslims," Megawati said. --JP