A

mid the recent brouhaha over alleged blasphemy by Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama and a Molotov cocktail attack in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, that have grabbed nationwide attention and raised concerns over growing intolerance, local figures have called on the public to strengthen harmony to protect the country’s diversity.

Hundreds of members of 10 Minahasa customary organizations rallied at the KONI Sario Manado field in Manado, North Sulawesi, on Thursday, stating that the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia must be defended.

The group also called on the government to prosecute any perpetrators who caused instability.

The groups included the Manguni Customary Brigade, Manguni Makasiouw, Maesaan Tuama Minahasa, Lingkan Wene and Tuama Teterusan.

Yongkie Sumual, one of the figures of the groups, said North Sulawesi residents were determined to defend state ideology Pancasila, the Constitution and Bhineka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).

“All violence related to religion and race must be managed quickly,” said another member, Wellem Sigar-Kumenaung, during the rally.

Participants of the rally also urged the government to thoroughly investigate the attack on the Oikumene Church in Sengkotek, Samarinda, East Kalimantan.

One toddler, Intan Olivia Marbun, died and three other children were injured when the alleged perpetrator threw a Molotov cocktail at the church on Sunday.

“Don’t let there be any more victims of violence,” shouted the protesters.

North Sulawesi Police chief Brig. Gen. Wilmar Marapung said the rally proceeded peacefully without causing any disruptions to other people.

Meanwhile in Palu, the Central Sulawesi Christian Church (GKST) synod held its 46th meeting to discuss efforts on strengthening harmony among all religions in the country.

Daniel Gagarin of the synod said besides internal activities, the event also aimed at encouraging healthy discussions on diversity to bolster harmony among religions.

One of the speakers at the event, the chairman of the Palu office of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Zainal Abidin, said harmony among all people, regardless of religion, must be improved to create peaceful coexistence.

Everyone must uphold ethics and respect people of other faiths without any religious fanaticism that could threaten social coherence.

“In coexistence, we need to respect and uphold people’s dignity. Let us not insult others of different faiths from us,” said the rector of Palu State Islamic Institute (IAIN) on Thursday.

He expressed hope that the GKST meeting would pave the way to a breakthrough that had a positive impact on harmony among religions.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people under the banner of the Flobamorata Diversity Forum protested in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, on Thursday to demand that the government disband the hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI) on the back of threats against diversity.

“The FPI’s presence undermines Pancasila, the Constitution, Bhineka Tunggal Ika and the unitary state of Indonesia,” forum coordinator Ady Ndi’I said during the protest in Nostalgia Park.

The group protested in response to issues that it said stemmed from intolerance and fear of damaging diversity, democracy and pluralism.