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)