FOSTER INTERFAITH SOLIDARITY

Is there something

which brings together religions in this country

thus making them religious people Shouldn't destroy each other?

(Nurcholis Madjid, 2001: 2).

As in general the nations of Southeast Asia, the Indonesian Nation was not built based on the same cultural traditions, but rather consisted of diverse ethnic groups with plural cultural identities. The plurality of the Indonesian people, among others, marked by differences in ethnicity, language and religion, on the one hand is a shared pride as stated in the phrase "Nusantara, like an emerald string on the Equator". While on the other hand, the complex conditions of the Indonesian people also often become obstacles for efforts to build unity and national unity in accordance with the spirit of Unity in Diversity. Constraints in question such as tensions nuanced SARA and regionalist separatist movements that often arise in the name of religion.

The emergence of tensions with SARA nuances is often caused by differences in culture and religion as a frame of reference carried by each party involved in it. Therefore, to maintain and foster a sense of national unity and unity, a deeper knowledge and understanding is needed from all parties regarding the existence of various colors of ethnic groups, cultures and religions in Indonesia. The step is expected to be able to foster mutual understanding and mutual respect for each other in the form of national solidarity. In addition, in-depth knowledge and understanding of the existence of various ethnic colors in Indonesia is also expected to be able to foster awareness and resilience of Indonesian cultural identity and identity in the context of facing an increasingly global process of intercultural interaction.

Clash of Civilizations

Huntington (2002) emphasizes religion as the spirit of civilization and predicts the future of world politics characterized by clashes between civilizations that cannot be separated from religious symbols. It seems no longer necessary to wait for the future, the reality of world life today is already full of religious nuances conflicts, such as inter-ethnic conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, endless conflicts between Israel and Palestine, conflicts between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, religious uprisings in Nigeria and Sudan, and Muslim protests against government hegemony in Southern Thailand and the Southern Philippines. Even the explosion of a passenger plane into the walls of the New York World Trade Center (WTC) tower and the October 2002 Bali Bombing Blast Tragedy were part of the conflict by bringing religious sentiment.

Reform Agenda

In accordance with the demands of the reform agenda, namely to build Indonesian society in a multicultural setting, the discourse of pluralism should not only be limited to recognition of diversity, but also recognition of social, cultural, economic, and political equality. This requires the wisdom of all parties to acknowledge and respect each other the existence of different groups (the others), including the existence of groups that uphold different faiths or religions. 

In relation to religious plurality, whether recognized or not, religion in addition to integrating different individuals or groups in a unity, also has the potential for conflict with other individuals or groups. In every religion there is actually a pattern of integration that not only serves to maintain the order and harmony of relationships between individuals within the respective religious support groups, but also with individuals or other religious support groups. Various religious belief systems and behavior, especially rituals or celebrations, are very effective vehicles for maintaining or intensifying intra-religious groups. Whereas opportunities to develop positive patterns of relationships between religious groups can be achieved by referring to conceptions that contain universal human values ​​which can be referred to as general values ​​that are able to accommodate different religious support groups.

To be honest, every religion actually teaches the principles of solidarity in the spirit of pluralism and multiculturalism that direct human life in a harmonious atmosphere in diversity without having to eliminate others because they are simply different. The problem now is about our ability to show wisdom to respect each other, not only between one another, but also with others. Perhaps this is where human qualities are reflected as true religious beings.