Religious support needed for harmony
JAKARTA (JP): The government has pledged to take firm action against people working to destroy religious harmony by burning houses of worship and holy books.
The government also appealed for the support of religious communities in maintaining religious harmony.
The minister of religious affairs, Tarmizi Taher, said "only with a stern government stance, supported by religious communities, can social order, national unity and integrity be upheld".
He was speaking after opening the renovated Pura Aditya Jaya Hindu temple yesterday.
Last month, Tarmizi drew the ire of many Moslem leaders when he said it was religiously permissible for people to kill rioters.
"There have been countless religious conflicts in the world, and most of the victims were innocent, devout people," Tarmizi was quoted by Antara as saying.
Indonesia has been rocked by several sectarian and racial riots since late last year when dozens of houses of worship were torched.
The worst riots were in West Kalimantan, the East Java town of Situbondo and West Java town of Tasikmalaya.
The tension continued this year when election-related violence shook the East Java towns of Pasuruan and Jember, Bangkalan on the island of Madura.
Tarmizi vowed to never let "religious extremism and radicalism" grow in the country.
"In Indonesia, if the (Moslem holiday of) Idul Fitri eve coincides with the Hindu day of silence, the government will arrange both events to proceed orderly and safely," he said.
Tarmizi said this reflected the religious harmony that had long been embedded in Indonesia.
He said religious communities needed to filter for themselves the affects of foreign cultures, to protect their youths' morality.
"Inter-religious harmony is vital for the nation if it is to face the challenges of the future. It's a foundation that should be maintained," Tarmizi said.
The harmonious relationship between Moslems and those of other religions in Indonesia was an example of excellent religious coexistence.
He dismissed recent riots with religious dimensions as local, saying the nation was still strong. (aan)