Religious pluralism doesn't stir conflict, say experts

SURABAYA, East Java (JP): Different doctrines and religious teachings have never before incited conflict in Indonesia, experts concluded here yesterday.

The experts argue that conflict is mostly triggered by violations to the political and ethical commitment long shared by the public.

"Indonesian society is pluralistic by birth and has never experienced crisis due to religious rifts," said Chairman of National Commission on Human Rights Munawir Sjadzali, a speaker at yesterday's discussion on human rights and religious pluralism.

The discussion featured scholars from several universities, members of the human rights commission and observers.

Munawir, a former minister of religious affairs, said the riots which recently broke out in several cities had nothing to do with religious conflict.

Baharuddin Lopa, secretary-general of the human rights commission, said the situations exploded due to the increasing social disparity.

Another speaker, Tolchah Hasan, rector of Islamic University in Malang, East Java, supported Munawir's opinion, saying the hypothesis had been raised by experts were discussing religion and peace in Cairo 27 years ago.

Tolchah said the foreign experts blamed the tension on the conflicting interests between the power holders and their people and mismatching ideals of Westerners and people in developing countries.

"Islam believes that religious pluralism is sunnatullah (the laws of Allah) and we should cultivate it wisely," Tolchah said.

Tolchah said harmony within society could only exist if religious followers showed respect for others right's to embrace other faiths.

"Freedom of faith, the most basic of human rights, will help a nation maintain its integrity," he said.

Lopa agreed, but said an independent forum of religious leaders should be set up in each district throughout the country to secure harmony among their followers.

"Such a forum will serve as a place for people to raise their complaints and as a tool for noticing problems threatening relations between religious believers," Lopa said.

He said that such a forum already existed at national level, but has yet to function as expected.

"It's not an easy, because encouraging mutual trust between religious leaders always takes time," Lopa said.

Yusril Izha Mahendra of the Jakarta-based University of Indonesia said freedom of faith badly needed a democratic state of mind.

"The government is responsible for enhancing democracy. It can set up a wise and just mechanism to guide religious followers to live together in harmony," he said. (25/amd)