Religious harmony

Religious harmony

From Forum Keadilan

In their speeches during the celebration of the Prophet
Muhammad's Ascension Day at Istiqlal Mosque, President Soeharto
and Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher reminded the
nation of the significance of religious harmony, as reflected in
the state's coat of arms Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in
Diversity). Despite the differences in religion, ethnic groups,
food styles, clothes, languages and traditions, the Indonesian
people are united as a nation.

In my opinion, whether or not harmony exists depends, to a
great extent, on how the religious leaders behave and teach their
people. Preachers (in the mosque, church or temple) should not
touch on the value of each other's religion. The only person who
knows any religion very well is the follower of that religion.
But a preacher can of course praise his own religion without
comparing it to another religion.

Not a single religion teaches its followers to hate or to
oppose anyone who believes in another creed.

PUDIYANTI SURADIBROTO

Jakarta