Minister warns of religious conflicts

Minister warns of religious conflicts

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher said
over the weekend that religious diversity had the potential to
either enrich spiritual life or become a source of conflict.

Addressing an audience of 3,000 during a celebration of the
ministry's 52nd anniversary, held at Padjadjaran Sports Hall in
Bandung, West Java, Tarmizi said conflicts incited by religious
issues were more dangerous than those sparked by other factors.

He said religion transcended geographical, demographical and
sociological borders.

Devotion to a religion, he said, is linked more with people's
emotions and beliefs, particularly those at the grass roots.

"Religious conflicts bring about serious, widespread and
substantial damage. We have to pay dearly -- socially,
politically and economically -- if they take place," Tarmizi was
quoted by Antara as saying.

Sporadic ethnic and religious riots rocked the country last
year.

The ministry's anniversary was simultaneously commemorated
across the country Saturday with presentations of government
medals for meritorious employees.

West Java Governor Nuriana attended the celebration in
Bandung.

Tarmizi said that pluralism should prompt Indonesians to make
religious harmony a top priority because it would help enhance
political stability and national resilience.

"Such a harmonious life will give us a strong footing when we
take on various threats coming from either outside or inside the
country in the future."

He said that followers of different religions should continue
to seek a common understanding -- through open dialog and
promoting religious tolerance -- while maintaining their
uniqueness.

"The principle to agree to disagree will curb any potential
religious conflicts."

He claimed that religious harmony had been maintained since
the 1970s and was one of the New Order's most commendable
achievements.

This harmony has been reflected by the freedom of religious
devotion and the growing tolerance among followers of different
religions.

He said the New Order had given its utmost attention to the
development of places of worship.

As of last year, the government had built 609,774 mosques,
31,758 churches for Protestants, 14,860 churches for Catholics,
22,407 Hindu temples and 4,217 Buddhist temples, according to
Tarmizi.

"So let's take a look at the past to remind ourselves that
since the inception of the republic, Indonesians, despite their
differences, have pledged to live together as one nation."

Earlier in the ceremony, Tarmizi also launched his
autobiography, written by Wakbudin, a journalist of the local
daily Pikiran Rakyat.

The book, Tarmizi Taher, Jembatan Umat, Ulama dan Umara
(Tarmizi Taher: the Bridge for Masses, Ulemma and the
Government), talks about Tarmizi's role in preserving religious
harmony in the country and his thoughts on management reform in
the Ministry of Religious Affairs. (amd)