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Local governments told to support interreligious forums
Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo has urged regional administrations to provide more room for the involvement of the Interreligious Harmony Forum (FKUB) in the decision-making processes of in their respective regions.
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Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo (right) talks about electronic identity cards (E-KTP) at the Ombudsman headquarters in Jakarta on Jan. 9. (Antara Photo/Yudhi Mahatma)
H
ome Minister Tjahjo Kumolo has urged regional administrations to provide more room for the involvement of the Inter-Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB) in the decision-making processes of in their respective regions.
"The [FKUB] should always be involved in discussions and their advice should always be heeded in the process of public policy making at the local level," Tjahjo said at a FKUB national coordination meeting on Thursday.
Strengthening cooperation between various religious communities in public policy making is important, both to ensure religious harmony and to anticipate possible conflicts, Tjahjo said.
When intolerance and violence erupts, religious communities and local elders can play a role in de-escalating the tension, more so than security officers and government officials, according to Tjahjo.
Meanwhile, Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin said local governments should also support the FKUB in their respective regions.
More money is needed to establish regional headquarters in order to improve the FKUB's role in promoting inter-religious peace, Lukman added.
He further stated that the FKUB was a strategic institution designed to strengthen grassroots communities and promote religious harmony. (bbn)
