Syafii awarded for encouraging pluralism

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 06/15/2009 1:23 PM  |  Headlines

Former Muhammadiyah leader Ahmad Syafii Maarif was awarded Sunday for his efforts to nurture pluralism in the country.

The Mpu Peradah Award was bestowed by the Association of Hindu Youths (Peradah) at an event held in Jakarta to commemorate the organization's 25th anniversary.

Andreas Pareira, a member of the House of Representatives from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), said, "The award bestowed to Professor Syafii is most proper since we know that he is an intellectual figure who has shown commitment to building a pluralistic society in this country.

"He is one of the nation's teachers. A role model for the potentials of pluralism for his countrymen."

When asked about certain groups which have tried in recent years to force their values upon the nations myriad diverse cultures, Ahmad said, "It's fine when people uphold the values of their group, but it should not mean viewing the values of other groups from other ethnicities or other religions as not valid.

"We have to appreciate and respect the views of other groups in society and create a dialogue among different groups in the country," he said.

Other Peradah awards went to Prof. Emil Salim for the environment, the late Prof. Mubyarto for economics, Ketut Suardana Linggih for entrepreneurship, the late Baharuddin Lopa for law, the late Munir Said Thalib for democracy, Butet Manurung for youth, the late I Gusti Made Tamba for education, the late Tjokorda Raka Sukawati for technology, the late Pramoedya Ananta Toer for culture, while Tempo Magazine was commended in the pluralist media category.

Members of the jury were KH Salahuddin Wahid, Nathan Setiabudi, and Ngakan Putu Putra. They decided to bequeath Mpu Peradah awards to Prof. Ahmad Syafii Maarif and the late Mrs. Gedong Bagoes Oka.

Peradah is a national youth organization that was cofounded by the Council for People's Integrity (DIB) and the Brotherhood of the Nation's Children (PAB), according to Nyoman Gde Agus Asrama. (iwp)

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