"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