'Tolerance among believers is better now'

The government has banned the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation (JAI) from conducting any activities, although debate is continuing over whether the group's teachings run counter to Islam. The policy has raised the issue on freedom of religion. The Jakarta Post asked residents their thoughts about the issue.

Fetty Fajriati, 35, is a public relations manager at the Habibie Center. She lives in South Jakarta:

After the reform in 1998, I think people have more freedom to express their beliefs in various forms.

I noticed that more women are wearing head scarfs. Now they have the freedom to be themselves, no longer afraid of being accused of being fundamentalists as in the past.

Other expressions of religious freedom can also be seen in TV programs that have Islamic themes. These programs, for example, that feature Arabic songs and music, convey a religious message.

And I think many public figures, intellectuals, and even political observers are now more open to expressing their religious identities through their statements in public.

As far as I am concerned, nowadays people have more freedom to express their beliefs in various ways. Years ago, religious teachings could only be delivered in mosques, churches and schools. But, now they can be seen in TV programs, fashion, and the life of public figures.

I also think that religious tolerance among believers is better now. If we do find religious conflicts, such as in Poso and Ambon, we know that politics is involved in the issue.

Fendy Halim, 30, is a contractor for an interior design company. He lives in Central Jakarta:

I personally have never had any problem in practicing my prayers. No one bothers me as I pray in a Buddhist monastery. So far, none of the Buddhist ceremonies that I have attended have been disrupted.

However, I sometimes feel that discrimination is still out there. For example, if we would like to hold a celebration other than a ritual ceremony, we have to deal with officials for permits. We often have to give bribes to facilitate the process.

I don't see any discrimination against my religious practices but problems usually occur when it comes to issue of ethnicity.

-- The Jakarta Post