Speaking at a function to observe Christmas day at the Jakarta Convention Center here Monday evening, he said tolerance and religious freedom should not be practiced as a constitutional or legal formality but must be actively cultivated in the community so that the values of inter-religious tolerance and mutual respect would grow in the people’s daily life.
The government, he said, continued to remain committed to safeguarding these values and to ensure that no citizen would be hurt by others due to his or her religion, political views or other social distinctions.
"Our national heterogeneity must become a source of strength. Heterogeneity must be received with thankfulness and reflected in positive actions. Our diversity must be accepted as a blessing," he said. Therefore, he said, the principles of living in freedom must be accompanied by religious tolerance.
"The government will continue promoting harmonious inter-religious relations," he said.
The President said he believed that with growth in public awareness of pluralism and inter-religious tolerance Indonesia would gain the ability to grow as a big and respected nation. Hence, he called all all religious followers in the country to prioritize the national interest, respect the constitution and the democratic system and strengthen brotherhood among citizens.
"Let us put our nation’s interest above the interst of individuals, groups and classes. We must respect the constitution and state order which is democratic through religious and national-based behaviour," he said.
The chief of the Indonesian Communion of Churches, A Yewangoe meanwhiel said "if we really wish to get glory we must pass the pain of the trials that have affected the country. We can see real glory when we are mired in trouble. We cannot get glory instantly. No real glory is achieved through pretentions," he said.
Source : kompas
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