People told to respect others during Ramadhan

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Religious Affairs Tolchah Hasan has made a plea to people of all faiths to mutually respect each other during the fasting month of Ramadhan, the date of which falls close to other religious milestones.

Speaking in a nationally televised broadcast on the eve of the start of the fasting month which begins on Thursday, Tolchah called for a spirit of togetherness.

He stressed that such a spirit was necessary given that Ramadhan, Christmas, New Year and Galungan Hindu day would all be commemorated within a short time span.

He reminded people, especially Muslims, that God's order to fast was given when the Prophet Muhammad was developing a civil society consisting of Muslims, Jews and Christians.

"It means Muslims should have a way of life which is inclusive, tolerant and respecting of differences," the former rector of Islam University in Malang, East Java, said.

He cited a verse in the Koran which states that human beings were created by God in tribes and nations who should know and love each other.

"Diversity should become a strength to create a civil society which has high morals," Tolchah, a former executive of Nahdlatul Ulama Muslim organization, said.

Meanwhile the ministry's Director General for the Guidance of the Catholic Community J.T. Sukotjoatmojo in a statement also called on Catholics to respect the Muslim holy month by refraining from acts which could taint the general climate of tolerance.

The executive board of the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) also made a similar call to the general Christian community to respect fasting Muslims. (jun)