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strong>Aug. 17, Online

Religion-related conflict and violence against minority groups are on the rise, data from the Setara Institute shows.

As of July this year, at least 99 cases of violence and conflicts had been reported, an apparent surge from 94 cases reported in the whole of 2010.

“We have to acknowledge that conflicts partly fueled by religious diversity are on the rise,” Catholic priest Benny Susetyo, chairman of the Indonesian Bishops Conference (KWI) interfaith dialogue division, told a discussion on the role of media in dealing with issues of diversity, in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Your comments:

Meanwhile, in his recent speech, SBY said Indonesia is a tolerant nation. Why does he not face the truth and take some actions? One can only assume that that’s the way he wants the country to go: the Pakistan way.

Sheldon
Probolinggo, East Java

The reported conflicts are only the tip of the iceberg, the more visible symptom of what is happening in the wider Indonesian society. There is an increasing radicalization and disharmony developing throughout the country that should be cause for concern at government and community levels.

Without a dramatic improvement in leadership, I believe Indonesia is heading toward a very trying part of its history, one that could open up serious cracks in its unity.

We know there is a problem but it seems like the government, law enforcers, the judiciary and most of the Religious Affairs Ministry don’t want to do anything or even increase their partisan approach to the problem.

It is probably no exaggeration to say we are heading down the Pakistan path: Leadership and reconciliation please.

Nairdah
Sydney

Recently, Benny Susetyo joined a radical group in attacking Greenpeace and now he is attacking the police for not enforcing the law when it is not the police but their political masters who are responsible.

Let’s place the blame where it belongs. President SBY and his cabinet are responsible.

K. Highlander
Jakarta