Tolerance vital to maintaining unity: Soeharto

Tolerance vital to maintaining unity: Soeharto

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto underlined yesterday the
importance of tolerance, brotherhood and mutual cooperation among
Indonesians in a bid to help maintain national unity.

Solid unity among Indonesians is needed because, as a
pluralistic nation, Indonesia consists of people of different
religions and races, he said in his address at a grand religious
presentation organized by the Indonesian contact board of the
Majelis Taklim members, a Moslem study group usually referred to
as a female group, at Senayan Stadium in Central Jakarta.

The presentation, attended by more than 150,000 Majelis Taklim
members from Greater Jakarta, West Java, Sumatra and Sulawesi, is
one of a series of grand parties held over the last few days to
commemorate the 50th anniversary of Indonesia's independence.

"For us, plurality is not a problem. It even leads us to be
more open, mature and dynamic," the President said.

"We accept the plurality as God's blessing. Do not make the
differences among us wider, so that plurality may seem like the
rainbow's colors in the sky," he said.

Other high-ranking guests at the party included First Lady
Tien Soeharto, Vice-President and Mrs. Try Sutrisno,
Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono, Minister of Religious Affairs
Tarmizi Taher and Minister of Research and Technology B.J.
Habibie and Jakarta Governor Surjadi Soedirdja.

The party was opened by Moerdiono in his capacity as the
chairman of the national committee of the 50th Indonesian
Independence Day celebrations, who beat a big mosque drum to
signal the start of the event.

Following Moerdiono's lead, 24 drummers began beating drums.
Spontaneous applause broke out among the participants who cheered
the opening of the grand religious presentation.

Four youths displayed pencak silat, a traditional form of
self-defense, on a stage before the podium where the high
officials were seated. Balloons were released into the air.

The drum performance was followed by marching music played by
a band, with cheerful songs taken from different provinces of
Indonesia, such as North Sumatra, South Kalimantan and Maluku.

About 3,000 pupils from Islamic schools wearing colorful
uniforms marched to the music.

The joyful situation turned solemn when two women started
reciting verses from the Koran together.

All participants kept silent except for the peddlers of
refreshments.

Chairwoman of the Majelis Taklim Contact Board Tutty Alawiyah
opened her speech with a prayer, repeated by those attending.

According to Tutty, the Majelis Taklim Contact Board performs
other religious duties. Other regular activities of the board
include granting scholarships to orphaned children and assisting
poor people.

The presentation continued with the forming of configurations
by 4,000 female participants wearing white Moslem dresses
embellished with red and yellow shawls.

In a separate performance, 2,000 female and 500 male students
of Islamic schools shaped different configurations accompanied by
songs.

The presentation was closed with a speech by Minister of
Research and Technology Habibie, who spoke about the importance
of faith, supported by a knowledge of technology, among
Indonesian Moslems.

Satisfaction

As President Soeharto left, the two-hour presentation most of
the participants also left, although the event was not finished.
Outside the stadium where the event was held most participants
kept busy with shopping since a number of street vendors had set
up makeshift stalls offering wares ranging from Moslem religious
trappings, such as rosaries and praying mats, to apparel and
refreshments.

Most of the participants, however, were satisfied with the
grand presentation.

"It was great. I liked the whole program," said Titin, a woman
from Bekasi. She said she had paid Rp 15,000 including Rp 2,500
for the ticket to attend the presentation.

The same opinion was expressed by a participant from Bogor,
who added that she enjoyed the performance though she could not
get a seat.

"I sat on the stadium stairs," she said.

Many participants did not get seats since the Senayan stadium
could accommodate only 100,000 people at the most.

Most of those who were less fortunate had to sit on the stairs
while others kept standing throughout the presentation.

A participant from Jakarta fainted and was treated by
paramedics in a specially equipped van provided for emergencies
outside the stadium.

Another participant from Bandung was exited about the grand
presentation. "I am very happy because it was so festive. In
addition, I could see many government officials here,
particularly the President and Vice-President," Supiah said.

An old lady from Cibinong said she enjoyed the presentation
although she had to climb many stairs to get to her seat.

"I had to go up many stairs to get to the seat. I was late.
When I came here the seats that were left were located high up,"
she said.

A group of participants from North Jakarta expressed their
satisfaction and said they would wait for the next presentation
and attend.

In streets surrounding the Senayan stadium, Saturday's grand
presentation caused huge traffic jams which lasted for more than
an hour. (01)