Letter: Protect your pluralism

Indonesia is fortunate because it is a living picture of an exotic aquarium showcasing a culturally diverse, pluralistic population that includes a bewildering richness of flora and fauna — whereas North America is merely a “melting pot”.

This blessed nation was destined for pluralism ever since people migrated from mainland Asia seeking adventure. It is the highway going from Banda Aceh, Sumatra, sweeping all the way toward Merauke, Papua, the highest and largest tropical island on Earth; from Pontianak (Kalimantan) to Makassar (Sulawesi) to Ambon in the Maluku islands.

These people of the past that settled the string of islands brought with them their religions and cultural assets. Buddhists settled in Java where they built the now famous Borobudur. Hindus went to Bali and brought with them their colorful dance culture and cheerful gamelan. They built temples and garlanded them with flowers.

Pious Muslims first settled in Aceh province and later migrated to Java. The Javanese are famous for their puppet theater and staid gamelan. Chinese, traders par excellence, left their footprint.

Then Europeans came, eager to take home fragrant spices like cloves and nutmeg. The Portuguese added words to the local vocabulary (sepatu/shoe). The Dutch established schools and enriched the local architecture. Christianity was introduced. New foods were imported from Europe and beyond: Peanuts from Peru were now locally grown and became a staple in Indonesian cuisine.

Until World War II, Indonesia (the Dutch East Indies) was a vibrant nation where people of different cultural backgrounds lived side by side.

Then, in 1945, Indonesia became an independent state with a new constitution — Pancasila — that promotes religious freedom, social justice for all of the people of Indonesia, and unity and guidance of democratic principles by elected representatives.

The five symbols of Pancasila are: the star for God; the chain for humanity; the banyan tree for unity; the buffalo head for the principle of deliberation/democracy, and last but not least, two plants: the rice and cotton symbols for social justice and protection of the weak.

Indonesians can be proud of their constitution that rivals western constitutions in inclusiveness. And, like in America where pluralism is de rigueur, Indonesians of every hue and faith should put their right hand on their hearts when reciting the principles that have tolerance and peace at heart.

Olga Pitcairn
Pennsylvania, US