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.