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Interfaith forum calls for peace, fraternity during election
“Religions exist so that humans can build civilization. We will be degrading our dignity as humans if we let ourselves get carried away by conflicts based on different choices or perceptions in the election,” Ahmad Syafi’i Ma’arif said.
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Religious harmony: Muslims from Genting Cepogo village in Boyolali, East Java, carry food past a church for the Sadranan ceremony, which is traditionally held ahead of the fasting month of Ramadhan. (JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan)
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head of next week’s general election, a number of prominent religious figures have called on all Indonesians, voters and candidates alike, to uphold humanity above all other interests.
At the discussion Forum Titik Temu (Meeting Point Forum), held in Jakarta on Wednesday, speakers representing all six recognized religions in Indonesia took turns expressing their take on faith, nationalism and peace. The forum was held in response to heightened tensions during the campaign period, sparked by political, religious and ethnic differences and the prospect of conflicts after the elections.
Among those who spoke at the forum were former first lady and women rights activist Shinta Nuriyah Wahid, Muslim intellectual Ahmad Syafi’i Ma’arif and the wife of late Muslim scholar Nurcholis Madjid, Omi Komariah.
“Within a week, we will have a celebration of democracy. Any movement that is based on political interests has the potential to tear us apart. But bear in mind, whoever wins the election, we should put fraternity and peace above all else,” Shinta said.
“Religions exist so that humans can build civilization. We will be degrading our dignity as humans if we let ourselves get carried away by conflicts based on different choices or perceptions in the election,” Ahmad Syafi’i Ma’arif said.
“If we, Indonesians, are able to maintain our unity regardless of our different religions [or other factors], I believe that Indonesia will still exist until one day before Judgement Day,” he added.
The forum followed the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Dr. Ahmed At-Tayyeb on Feb. 4 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The document seeks to encourage stronger inter-faith relationships and promote coexistence among adherents of all religions and beliefs.
