Religious leaders urge reconciliation
JAKARTA (JP): Religious leaders called on Friday for national reconciliation among all groups, including the government and the military, in order to calm the country's overheating political situation.
The religious leaders made their announcement after meeting at the residence of Abdurrahman Wahid, chairman of the country's largest Moslem organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), in Ciganjur, South Jakarta.
Representing the Moslem community were Abdurrahman, popularly known as Gus Dur, Said Aqiel Siradj, Rozy Munier, Nurcholish Madjid, Masdar Mas'udi and several NU clerics, while the representatives of the Catholic community were Julius Cardinal Darmaatmadja, chairman of the Conference of Indonesian Bishops (KWI); Mgr. Martinus Situmorang, Mgr. Anicetus Sinaga, Rev. Franz Magnis Suseno, Rev. Mudji Sutrisno and Rev. Mardiatmadja.
Rev. Eka Dharma Putera, Rev. Suatami Sutedja, Paul Tahalele, Martin Sinaga and Arlianus Larosa represented the Indonesian Churches Community (PGI) while Suhemo Thera and Mulyadi Wahyono represented the Buddhist community.
Also attending were Ida Pedande Resi of the Hindu community, Tjhie Tjay Ing of Confucian, Djatikusumah of the non- denominational movement, Panjabi of the Bahai faith and Henny Sumali of the Syrian Orthodox Church.
Abdurrahman, who spoke on behalf of the religious leaders, said they were deeply concerned over the current political situation and frictions among factions in society.
"National reconciliation is needed to calm the escalating situation," he said.
He explained that reconciliation was needed not only between the government and opposing groups and students but also intra- religious groups and peoples of different religions.
"We gather here to strengthen solidarity and tolerance among religious communities, especially among their leaders," he said.
He warned against politicizing religions, saying that all religions were against violence.
"There has been a trend that religions are used by certain factions to sow hatred in an attempt to maintain power and to persuade other factions to join them," he said without elaborating.
He acknowledged the gravity of the situation arising from friction among religious leaders within one religion or among different religious communities.
"Many people are able to tolerate religious differences. These differences only become a serious problem when their leaders bring them to the surface," he said.
Abdurrahman said the meeting was called jointly by all of the religious leaders attending.
He agreed that such meetings should be held regularly because they would be effective in enhancing solidarity and tolerance among religious communities in the country.
"But I do not want the meetings to be institutionalized," he said.
Magnis, who is rector of the Driyarkara Institute of Philosophy, said the call for reconciliation was intended for the government, the military and opposing groups in society.
"We have observed how the overheating political situation has been caused by friction between those in power and the opposition groups, and certain religions have been involved in it," he said.
Responding to a reporter's question, Magnis said Abdurrahman should be the national figure to initiate the campaign for national reconciliation. He pointed out that Abdurrahman was a person accepted by all factions in society.
Situmorang said KWI would give its full support to Abdurrahman should he be chosen to lead the reconciliation campaign.
At the initiative of students, Abdurrahman has also recently held a reconciliation meeting with Amien Rais, chairman of the National Mandate Party; Megawati Soekarnoputri, chairwoman of the popular faction of the splintered Indonesian Democratic Party; and Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X of Yogyakarta, to express their opinion of the latest political developments. (rms)