(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - It is rare when leaders from numerous religious communities gather to protest religious intolerance. But on April 8th, Ahmadiyah, Shia, Christian, and Sunni Muslim leaders stood united demanding Indonesia protect its religious minorities.
The march by some 300 people outside the national parliament was supported by the country's largest Muslim organisation, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).
"We are here to tell the world that Muslims are tolerant. We are Muslims, and we are part of this march to send a message that if there is intolerance in Indonesia, it is only caused by a small percentage of the population," said Joko Purwanto, an NU follower who participated in the protest.
"We need to unite," he told Khabar. "In this protest, we want to demonstrate that most Muslims are tolerant."
Upholding pluralism
People's Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat/MPR) Speaker Taufik Kiemas met with members of the group at the legislative building after the protest.
Taufik said he would look for an opportunity to meet with heads of state and judiciary to discuss religious freedom. He promised to schedule meetings in the near future with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Chief Justice M. Hatta Ali, and the Judicial Commission.
"I will convey what everyone desires – for Indonesia to be more tolerant," Taufik said. He also expressed appreciation for those aspirations being expressed through non-violent protest.
Indonesian Association of Churches Chairman Andreas Yewangoe Ananguru said religious tolerance should be accepted without question in Indonesia.
"It is a principle in our country," he said. "We should not let intolerant groups rule our country or permit intolerant acts that go beyond the Indonesian constitution. Pluralism in Indonesia should be something that should be accepted and not questioned."
Suprapto, the representative of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Indonesia (Konferensi Waligereja Indonesia/KWI), confirmed that the bishops were concerned about religious intolerance.
"KWI supports the enforcement of the constitution for freedom of worship. We are fully part of this," he told Khabar.
Taufik encouraged everyone to stay calm and said a solution would come soon. "According to Pancasila (Indonesia's five philosophical principles), what is happening in Indonesia right now (the numerous cases of intolerance) is very unusual. There are many islands in Indonesia with so many religions and languages that are able to stick together," he said.
Tolerance key to prospects
Emilia Renita, a Shia Muslim, said religious tolerance is crucial for the country's future.
"We lived side by side with individuals of other faiths over the years, but lately our lives are tainted. We're sad when we are treated unfairly. We should have a solution for these intolerant acts," she said.
Emilia hopes that as a result of the protest, voices advocating tolerance in Indonesia will be heard and the government will respond and encourage everyone to respect each other.
Dewi Kanti, a follower of the Sunda Wiwitan tradition, said people should return focus to the national principle of "unity in diversity" and realise that all religions can co-exist.
According to Dewi, the role of the government is to ensure the future of religious tolerance.
"You should ensure that what we went through is no longer experienced by our brothers and sisters who are Muslims, Christians, Buddhist, Hindu, and other minority groups," Dewi told Khabar.
Followers of the animistic belief system native to Sunda, West Java are distraught that they are now required to list "Islam" as their religion on their national identity cards.
Edwin Marbun, the co-ordinator of the march, said marchers reject all forms of violence and intimidation in the name of religion.
"We need to raise more awareness at all levels that everyone is equal and that people accept religious tolerance to keep everyone safe," he said.
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The march by some 300 people outside the national parliament was supported by the country's largest Muslim organisation, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).
"We are here to tell the world that Muslims are tolerant. We are Muslims, and we are part of this march to send a message that if there is intolerance in Indonesia, it is only caused by a small percentage of the population," said Joko Purwanto, an NU follower who participated in the protest.
"We need to unite," he told Khabar. "In this protest, we want to demonstrate that most Muslims are tolerant."
Upholding pluralism
People's Consultative Assembly (Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat/MPR) Speaker Taufik Kiemas met with members of the group at the legislative building after the protest.
Taufik said he would look for an opportunity to meet with heads of state and judiciary to discuss religious freedom. He promised to schedule meetings in the near future with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Chief Justice M. Hatta Ali, and the Judicial Commission.
"I will convey what everyone desires – for Indonesia to be more tolerant," Taufik said. He also expressed appreciation for those aspirations being expressed through non-violent protest.
Indonesian Association of Churches Chairman Andreas Yewangoe Ananguru said religious tolerance should be accepted without question in Indonesia.
"It is a principle in our country," he said. "We should not let intolerant groups rule our country or permit intolerant acts that go beyond the Indonesian constitution. Pluralism in Indonesia should be something that should be accepted and not questioned."
Suprapto, the representative of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Indonesia (Konferensi Waligereja Indonesia/KWI), confirmed that the bishops were concerned about religious intolerance.
"KWI supports the enforcement of the constitution for freedom of worship. We are fully part of this," he told Khabar.
Taufik encouraged everyone to stay calm and said a solution would come soon. "According to Pancasila (Indonesia's five philosophical principles), what is happening in Indonesia right now (the numerous cases of intolerance) is very unusual. There are many islands in Indonesia with so many religions and languages that are able to stick together," he said.
Tolerance key to prospects
Emilia Renita, a Shia Muslim, said religious tolerance is crucial for the country's future.
"We lived side by side with individuals of other faiths over the years, but lately our lives are tainted. We're sad when we are treated unfairly. We should have a solution for these intolerant acts," she said.
Emilia hopes that as a result of the protest, voices advocating tolerance in Indonesia will be heard and the government will respond and encourage everyone to respect each other.
Dewi Kanti, a follower of the Sunda Wiwitan tradition, said people should return focus to the national principle of "unity in diversity" and realise that all religions can co-exist.
According to Dewi, the role of the government is to ensure the future of religious tolerance.
"You should ensure that what we went through is no longer experienced by our brothers and sisters who are Muslims, Christians, Buddhist, Hindu, and other minority groups," Dewi told Khabar.
Followers of the animistic belief system native to Sunda, West Java are distraught that they are now required to list "Islam" as their religion on their national identity cards.
Edwin Marbun, the co-ordinator of the march, said marchers reject all forms of violence and intimidation in the name of religion.
"We need to raise more awareness at all levels that everyone is equal and that people accept religious tolerance to keep everyone safe," he said.
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