Jingle all the way: Hundreds of shoppers and visitors enjoy a musical performance at a major shopping mall in Jakarta on Wednesday. Large malls in the city have put on colorful Christmas displays and ornaments and staged shows to lure visitors and celebrate Christmas. JP/Wendra Ajistyatama
Despite recent attacks on churches and congregations, religious leaders say interfaith ties have improved in the past 10 years, thanks in part to dialogue and cooperation among religious leaders and law enforcers.
But some incidents showed inter-faith ties could be better, they said.
Chairman of the Communication Forum for Jakarta Christians (FKKJ), Theo Bela, said Wednesday Christians in general felt safe celebrating Christmas this year.
“Most Christians think they have the opportunity to express their freedom,” he told The Jakarta Post.
He added it was only a few groups who were “fanatic” and “radical.”
Near the capital last Dec. 17, a group of people vandalized a church construction site in Bekasi.
Theo said it was thanks to “good cooperation” with police that the assault was stopped. Police said the attackers were “provoked” but had not elaborated further.
“We regret [such incidences],” Theo said. “All religious leaders should work closely together to prevent such incidents.”
He referred to incidents in Bekasi, Purwakarta, Depok and Tangerang.
Authorities revoked a building permit for a Catholic church in Purwakarta, West Java, in October, that “failed to meet requirements”.
In March, Depok mayor Nurmahmudi Ismail revoked a permit for a Batak community church in Cinere, as violating regulations.
In September the Bandung state administrative court overturned the Depok mayor’s decision.
“We should all embrace such fanatics so they can become tolerant citizens and share the responsibility for the progress of our large and diverse nation,” Theo said.
Since church bombings in 2000 in Jakarta and other cities security has been high every Christmas Eve.
Muhammadiah Youth secretary-general Sudar Siandes, said the current situation was relatively conducive to religious harmony.
“I am convinced that Christmas will be quite safe. Not only does continuous dialogue facilitate harmonious relations, people have also realized the importance of religious harmony,” he told the Post.
“Many of our students at the Muhammadiyah University in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, are not Muslims. But have good relations with their Muslim lecturers,” said Sundar.
Masdar F. Mas’udi, deputy chairman of the country’s largest Islamic organization, Nahdlatul Ulama, said public and religious figures should become role models.
“Law enforcers should stop committing corruption.,” he said.
Improvements in political, social and economic conditions would also help interfaith ties, he added.
The Interfaith Forum said however that violent incidents among people from different faiths had increased in Surakarta, Central Java.
The forum’s chairman, Solechan, said there were 13 cases in Surakarta this year, compared to a total of seven in 2007 and 2008.
Meanwhile, Antara reported the Attorney General’s Office banned the distribution of five books, including three regarding faith and spirituality, which they claimed could spread heretical teaching and cause confusion.
The books included: Six ways to reach God by Darmawan MM, Resolving the mystery of religious diversity by Syahrudin Ahmad, and Voice of churches for suppressed people, blood and God’s tears in West Java Should En” by Cocratez Sofyan Yoman. (nia)
Related Articles:
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.