Nurcholish urges university to promote pluralism

Nurcholish urges university to promote pluralism

Sari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

As part of the academic community, university congregations
should be role models for the nation on how to live peacefully in
a diverse world, a noted scholar said.

"Pluralism should be upheld as a fundamental truth, and should
be implemented without worrying about the short-term costs or
benefits," Muslim scholar Nurcholish Madjid said in his speech
before an academic forum at Atmajaya Catholic University in South
Jakarta, which is celebrating its 43rd anniversary.

Nurcholish, the rector of Paramadina University, said people
should enjoy diversity as a gift of God, instead of as a trigger
for conflict.

"Pluralism must be promoted, even if it may require us to
sacrifice our interests. In the long run upholding a truth will
benefit all people for a long time, perhaps eternally," he said.

Indonesia is home to at least 370 ethnic groups, who speak 67
different languages and follow various religions and beliefs.

University is a place for well educated people, he said, and
therefore it should contribute to the country's learning process.

"University members are expected to offer the community
solutions on social problems and to help them improve their
quality of life," he said.

Indonesia has seen major conflicts break out due to a lack of
tolerance among ethnic groups, followers of different religions,
and people from different socio-economic backgrounds over the
past five years.

Thousands were killed in clashes between Muslims and
Christians in Maluku and the Southeast Sulawesi town of Poso,
between different ethnic groups in West Kalimantan and Central
Kalimantan.

With tolerance, the bloodshed could have been avoided,
Nurcholish said.

When asked about the controversial education bill, Nurcholish
said the draft law had not yet touched or answered the issue of
tolerance.

He suggested that the House of Representatives delay the
endorsement of the bill for further discussion.

"The idea to make a new law on education is good, but if it is
designed to be applied for only for a very short time, it will
not receive the attention it deserves," he said.

He said priority should be given to efforts to improve the
intellectual quality of future Indonesians through the education
system.