People told to respect others during Ramadhan

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)