Faith leaders in Indonesia have called on the nation’s government to ensure religious freedom for all and take strong action against its violators, following recent incidents targeting Christians. Source: UCA News.
The appeal was made after a meeting of representatives of Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism at the office of the Indonesian Catholic Bishops’ Conference in the national capital Jakarta on Tuesday.
The leaders reminded the government that freedom of religion and worship is a constitutional right that must be protected and sought action against violators engaged in violence and destruction of places of worship.
They also urged the authorities to cooperate with the interfaith group, Forum for Religious Harmony, and respective communities to maintain tolerance and peace.
The recent anti-Christian incidents included opposition to building churches, a ban on Christian worship, destruction of worship places and religious facilities in various regions, Fr Aloysius Budi Purnomo, executive secretary of the Bishops’ Commission for Interreligious Relations, said.
“For us, such cases tarnish and damage the foundation of tolerance, harmony, brotherhood, and living together, as well as religious and cultural diversity in the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia,” he said.
“No one should be allowed to act in anarchic ways, especially against prayer and worship activities,” he added.
Ahmad Rumadi of Nahdlatul Ulama, the largest liberal Muslim organisation, said that every form of intolerance needs to be confronted and condemned “so that it is not seen as something normal”.
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Indonesian faith leaders unite for safeguarding religious freedom (UCA News)
