"Religious conflicts fueled by politics"

"Religious conflicts fueled by politics"

Members of Muslim groups took the initiative to help provide
security for Christians during Christmas celebrations at churches
and other places across the country. The Jakarta Post asked some
residents their opinion on the issue as religious tolerance made
a comeback.

J. Setiadi, 40, is a resident of Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD)
housing complex in Tangerang regency. He works as a financial
consultant in a foreign company on Jl. Gatot Subroto:

Thank God that Christmas celebrations took place peacefully.
We hope that there will also no violence during the New Year's
eve celebration and afterward.

I believe that most of Indonesian people have a great amount
of tolerance toward believers of other religions. Only a small
number of people do not respect other religions, most of those
have a poor education.

Therefore, we must push the government to give serious
attention to the education sector. The most important thing is
that all people, including children from low-income families, can
go to schools.

It is good news that Jakarta will have free education at state
elementary and junior high schools. I hope that it will be
followed by other regions.

With better education, it is hoped that radicalism will not
remain long in the country.

Basir Abdullah, 35, is an employee at a private bank on Jl.
Gajah Mada, West Jakarta. He lives in Kebayoran Lama, South
Jakarta:

Religious tolerance? There is no problem with that in the
country. Indonesians, who consist of various groups of believers,
have lived in peaceful co-existence for a long time.

Religions, I believe, are not the root of the problems, as has
been claimed in the Maluku and Poso (Central Sulawesi) conflicts.
Certain parties create and fuel religious violence to achieve
political ends.

Let me tell you that in my neighborhood, there are two or
three families who are not Muslims. But, there is no problem
among us.

-- The Jakarta Post