The John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts on Sept. 29, 2009 was packed with students and academics waiting to hear what the president of the world’s largest Muslim nation would say to them.
In the speech entitled “Toward harmony among civilizations”, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who had just won a re-election, spoke about Indonesia’s success in fortifying its national identity — both its victories and challenges.
“As religiosity increases, so will the politics of identity. And aided by globalization and technology, extremism and radicalism can only grow,” warned the President. “As we transition from G8 to G20 and perhaps beyond, mutual exposure between civilizations will become the most intense phenomenon humanity has ever seen.” He continued, “It may be naïve to expect that the world can be rid of conflict and hatred. But I believe that we can fundamentally change and evolve the way civilizations, religions and cultures interact.”
Today, almost one year later, this country stands to the test. Recent events have shown that violence still has its way among some parts of society. But as history has witnessed, and this government has affirmed, harmony and peace will prevail. There shall be no room for violence in our beloved nation and no bargaining for religious tolerance. This, as mandated by Article 29 (2) of the Constitution, which says “The State shall guarantee freedom to every resident to adhere to their respective religion and to perform their religious duties in accordance with their religion and that faith.”
As I write this, the President has instructed the coordinating political, legal and human rights affairs minister to take firm action against those responsible for the attack of members of the HKBP Pondok Indah Timur Church in Bekasi, West Java. The police are paying serious attention to the report filed by members of the church. As much as the people are concerned, the President wants a clear explanation as to what really happened. So yes, the President hears you.
Rest assured, there is no indifference when it comes to state protection of minorities. Not when we have too much at stake, not after we have shown the world that Islam, democracy and modernity can grow together. Not at the dawn of the holy month of Ramadan.
When it comes to religious tolerance, many have looked at and learned from Indonesia. Not because we have zero experience in managing problems related to interfaith relations, but quite the opposite. This nation has risen from past challenges and today stands as living proof to those undergoing the same situation. One testament to that is the fight against extremism.
Since 1999 to date, police have arrested more than 500 people associated with terrorism activities.
More than a few were killed in raids. Many have been prosecuted. Earlier this year, the police raided a terrorist training camp in Aceh that led to the arrest of more than 100 suspects, more than two-thirds of whom shall be prosecuted soon. The recent unraveling of a plot to bomb foreign embassies and police headquarters has led to the arrest of Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba’asyir, now in custody.
What these events have shown is a serious effort by the government to combat extremism. The results are before our eyes. Companies wanting to invest in Indonesia today no longer let worries of terrorist attacks throw them. With that, the Indonesian economy has continued to expand. Looking back at 2001 or 2002, this was a different story.
Internationally, Indonesia has succeeded in promoting interfaith and intercultural dialogue. It is a new role that this nation has had the privilege to embrace, thanks to Indonesia’s history of hosting the cultures of Oriental, Islamic and Western civilizations, and also part of the “all directions foreign policy”, which Yudhoyono has been pursuing. The essence of such a policy, as stressed by the President before the London School of Economics and Political Science in March 2009, is one where Indonesia seeks a “million friends and zero enemies”. In short, where we are today is at the dawn of Indonesia’s rise on the global platform. At this point, nothing should stand in the way.
Repeating what the President told the Harvard crowd last fall, it is naïve to expect the world can be rid of conflict and hatred. However, it will not be naïve to have reason for hope that peace shall prevail.
Lessons from past conflicts in Ambon and Aceh have taught us that peaceful conflict resolution is not an oxymoron. Peaceful conflict resolution through dialogue works, and if we believe that, then we can fundamentally evolve and change and the way civilizations, religions and cultures interact.
The writer is President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s spokesman.
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