Don't Confuse Religious Values With Political Interests: Jokowi
Jakarta. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has called on Indonesians not to confuse politics with religion to avoid a repeat of the tensions and conflict that occurred during the recent simultaneous regional elections.
This situation was most evident in the capital, where mass religious groups have been campaigning in the gubernatorial election to further their political aims.
"Do not confuse politics and religion. It should be well separated so that people know which is a religious matter and which is a political matter," Jokowi said during the inauguration of Tugu Titik Nol Pusat Peradaban Islam Nusantara, or the Zero-Point Memorial of Islamic Civilization, in Barus, North Sumatra, on Friday (24/03).
The president added that conflict between ethnic and religious groups should not occur just because of regional elections.
"There should be no friction [among different people]. Don't insult others with racial and religious abuse," he said.
Jokowi said Indonesia, as the world's largest archipelago stretching from Sabang in Aceh to Merauke in Papua, is home to numerous ethnic, religious and cultural groups.
He praised the value of the nation's official motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, or Unity in Diversity, and said it should be properly maintained for an incomparable blessing from God, as embedded in Indonesia's state philosophy of Pancasila.
"We have 34 provinces and 516 districts [or cities]. We are very diverse. Don't allow any conflicts to occur based on racial and religious grounds," he said.
The president's call for harmony is affirmed by the people of Central Tapanuli in North Sumatra, as the region is known for being peaceful despite vast religious differences within the local community.
"We are grateful that the people of Central Tapanuli are not easily provoked by issues that compromise the harmony between religious groups," said Bukit Tambunan, a Central Tapanuli public servant.
Jokowi was also scheduled to officiate at a groundbreaking ceremony for an Islamic boarding school in North Sumatra's Mandailing Natal district.
Tags: Keywords: