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)