Religious pluralism doesn't stir conflict, say experts
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)