Soeharto calls for religious harmony

Soeharto calls for religious harmony

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has stressed that religious
differences should not provoke societal divisions and that Islam,
as a religion which advocates tolerance, does not recognize
compulsion.

"Religious differences should not divide us or make us enemies
of each other," Soeharto said during a solemn ceremony held at
the State Palace Wednesday evening to commemorate the birth of
the Prophet Muhammad.

"Islam indeed respects freedom of religion," Soeharto said.
"'Let there be no compulsion in religion', as the Koran says. Our
prophet, Muhammad, forbade us to be unjust to anyone, even those
that we hate."

"I never tire of reminding everyone, particularly our nation's
leaders and especially our religious elders, to preserve harmony
between us," he said at the annual celebration of the prophet's
birthday, commonly referred to as Maulid Nabi, which fell
yesterday.

During the ceremony, which was also attended by Vice President
Try Sutrisno, cabinet ministers and ambassadors from Islamic
states, Soeharto pointed to the Prophet Muhammad's direction in
which everyone should be treated fairly, even those that maybe of
dislike.

Soeharto's comments come after sporadic riots, often clouded
by religious undertones, rocked communities across the country
over the last few months.

Soeharto also pointed to Prophet Muhammad's struggle against
tyranny and injustice while upholding a just society based on
brotherhood and equality, urging people to band together to build
the nation.

"The Koran reminds us that Allah will not change a nation's
fortune unless the people work to improve its own condition," he
said.

The President also reaffirmed the government's commitment not
to intervene in religious affairs

"The government will not and cannot intervene in the internal
affairs of a religion, whether that concerns teachings or worship
of even the institutional organizational aspect," Soeharto said,
adding that religious freedom is guaranteed under the
Constitution.

In his address Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher
lauded Indonesia's accomplishments in preserving religious
tolerance. Tarmizi claimed it had become a model for many to
follow.

"According to the outside world, the Islamic community in
Indonesia exhibits a unique and attractive character ... far from
the radicalism and extremism currently sweeping the world," he
said. (06/mds)