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United against sectarianism
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United we stand: Religious leaders lead mass prayers during the Nusantara Bersatu concert at the National Monument in Jakarta on Wednesday. The interfaith event aimed to strengthen national unity. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
T
wo days before another large-scale rally in Jakarta organized by conservative Islamic groups against the city’s governor over blasphemy accusations, the Indonesian Military (TNI), National Police and local officials held a nationwide diversity parade, in an apparent attempt to weaken the sectarian rhetoric unleashed by the main proponents of the rally.
The parade, Nusantara Bersatu (United Archipelago), was held in all 33 provinces, according to the TNI, which initiated the event.
Wednesday saw a colorful gathering held in the capital, where thousands of participants from diverse backgrounds and cultures wore Indonesia’s signature red-and-white bandanas and joined hands to celebrate the country’s motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity).
From civil servants, religious figures, mass organizations to high school students, together they sang Indonesian songs. The national anthem, “Indonesia Raya” as well as “Dari Sabang Sampai Merauke” (From Sabang to Merauke) filled the air.
Among the participants watching the performances were National Police Gen. Tito Karnavian and TNI commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo.
The two leaders of the nation’s armed forces called on people to unite amid growing sectarianism that threatens the country.
“This is to remind us that from Sabang to Merauke, we are all brothers and sisters. We should stand together in unity amid diversity. Differences should be our strength and not divide us,” Tito, who also wore the bandana, said proudly.
“We shall join hands to contribute to protecting this country. Don’t let Ibu Pertiwi [the motherland] cry, make her smile because we can unite as one,” Gatot said.
The event, which involved military and police personnel from all divisions, was apparently held to counter the rally spearheaded by the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesia Ulema Council’s Fatwa (GNPF-MUI), which is slated to take place on Friday at the National Monument (Monas), where mass prayers will also be performed.
The GNPF-MUI has been rallying for Muslim support to press law enforcers to detain Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, who has been charged with blasphemy over a statement regarding a Quranic verse.
Rizieq Shihab, an influential figure within the GNPF-MUI and leader of the hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI), has said the rally was a “constitutional jihad to defend religion and the state” and that it had nothing to do with race or the Jakarta election, in which Ahok is a contender.
As the group gained support from Muslims outside Jakarta, local administrations responded by taking part in the Nusantara Bersatu events.
Also on Wednesday, provinces across the country from Sumatra to Papua also celebrated the National United event, where people wore similar bandanas and raised their voices to defend unity and nationalism amid growing sectarianism that threatens the national ideology Pancasila.
In Pekanbaru, Riau Governor Arsyadjuliandi Rachman raised a clenched fist as he told the audience, from locals to security personnel, to not easily be provoked by certain parties who wanted to divide the nation.
Meanwhile in Langkat Regency, South Sumatra, the highlight of the Nusantara Bersatu event was the pledge of support for unity in the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia on a 50-meter cloth.
“Let’s guard the country’s unity. I hope our nation will always be safe without anything dividing us,” Arman, one of the students who pledged support, said.
On Losari Beach, Makassar, thousands of event participants were entertained by a Sukhoi fighter flypast and exhibition of Indonesia’s primary weaponry system.
Bandung and Jayapura saw hundreds of food stalls offering free food for thousands of participants of the Nusantara Bersatu event. In Jayapura, some attendees enjoyed the food in traditional attire, from Acehnese to Papuan, as they watched cultural performance.
“I was asked to provide 100 portions of meatballs. They will be paid for by the TNI after the event,” one of the food seller’s in Bandung’s Gasibu Square, said.
Similar events highlighting the country’s cultural and religious diversity were also held in Semarang, Palu and Flores.
In Kupang, the event was celebrated by interfaith figures who led mass prayers for the safety of the country. They signed a joint statement, where they agreed that living harmoniously in diversity was in accordance with Pancasila.
Arya Dipa, Rizal Harahap, Suherdjoko, Nethy Dharma Somba, Ruslan Sangadji, Apriadi Gunawan, Djemi Amnifu, Markus Makur, Andi Hajramurni contributed to this story from Bandung, Pekanbaru, Semarang, Jayapura, Palu, Medan, Kupang, Flores and Makassar
