Religious communities told to unite

Religious communities told to unite

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso
appealed to city religious leaders to strengthen unity through
mutual respect and the maintenance of good relations with the
government.

Speaking at a one-day seminar on religious tolerance held by
the Indonesian Mosques Association in Jakarta Sunday, the two-
star general said social conflicts had always been linked to
religion. He cited recent riots in Situbondo, East Java, Sukabumi
and Tasikmalaya in West Java as examples.

"Religious tolerance is one of the keys to national unity," he
said.

"If religious conflicts take place in the nation's capital,
the negative impact and financial loss will be great. Jakarta is
the center of political and economic activity. How much will we
pay if such religious conflicts happen here?"

Religious leaders therefore played significant roles in
developing religious tolerance for the sake of national unity.
Sutiyoso asked ulemas to always give their congregations cool
statements, using proper "religious language".

"If you happen across a religious-related problem, please
settle it in a spirit of brotherhood or, if necessary, take legal
steps. Do not use violence or brutality to solve such a problem;
not a single religion teaches us brutality," he said.

Recent violence and riots outside Jakarta have also made
Governor Surjadi Soedirdja concerned.

He had also asked the religious community to maintain unity.

When inaugurating a new mosque in Pasar Minggu last Friday,
Soedirdja asked religious communities to enhance unity by not
being easily provoked by rumors which could divide them. (sur)