Nation told to maintain religion pluralism

Nation told to maintain religion pluralism

Asip A. Hasani
The Jakarta Post
Yogyakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri has called on the nation to
maintain religious pluralism and tolerance, rather than
exploiting religious differences to stoke sectarian violence.

Addressing more than 300 religious leaders, experts and
observers participating in an international conference on
religion and peace here on Monday, the President urged that
efforts be made to develop religious pluralism, so that it would
improve the life of the nation and bring prosperity to the
people.

"In the numerous crises and conflicts now taking place,
religious differences that have risen to the surface have
frequently been used as reasons by the conflicting sides, and
even as justification for their actions. This situation
challenges us to review the format, character and dynamics of our
society," she said.

Attending the seminar were 120 religious leaders and experts
from 24 Asian countries, 58 honorary delegates and 145
international observers.

The President was referring to sectarian conflicts in the
Central Sulawesi town of Poso and in Maluku, and the bombings
that have occurred at places of worship across the nation.

The government and security authorities have been under fire
for their inability to enforce the law, which has prolonged the
conflicts in Maluku and Poso. Also, the government has never
announced the results of its investigation into the bomb blasts
that took place at a number of churches during Christmas, 2001.

Megawati told the participants that for religious pluralism to
survive and thrive, a common attitude and tolerance had to be
established.

"In my perception, religious tolerance is promoted in the
teachings of most religions," the President said.

She said Islam orders its adherents to love, understand and
cooperate with one another, as well as teaching equality, common
interests, unanimity, hard work, honesty, wisdom and
responsibility.

"I believe other religions have similar concepts as well," she
said.

Commenting of the President's statement, noted Christian
scholar Th. Sumartana said relying merely on religion in social
conflict resolution was just a utopia.

"Social conflicts such as those in Maluku and Poso require
simultaneous efforts of legal, economic, political, and religious
fields," he told The Jakarta Post.

"Goodwill of leaders of the conflicting communities will be
useless if it is always disturbed by the interests of politicians
and others within the government. The government's firm measures
are badly needed here as it has to appropriately handle its
security forces especially those in the Indonesian Military
(TNI).

Meanwhile, chairman of the country's second largest Muslim
organization, Muhammadiyah, Ahmad Syafi'i Maarif said the
leaders' words did not reflect the reality.

"That's our fundamental weakness as a nation. Leaders are not
really aware of what they tell the public. They are not aware
that the reality -- like what really happen in conflict-torn
areas-- needs their concrete decision," Syafi'i told the Post.

Corruption and worsening security condition in conflict areas
which do not yet recover are, in fact, caused by the absence of
firm action of both the central and local governments, he said.

"The President's suggestion that religious leaders should play
important and crucial role in conflict resolution is good. We,
along with the Nahdlatul Ulama (the largest Muslim organization)
have worked to build close ties with other religions," he said.

The conference will last until June 28. Similar conferences
were held earlier in Singapore, India, South Korea, Nepal and
Thailand.