There are many "walls" which could separate senior high school SMA Al-Izhar in Pondok Labu, South Jakarta, and SMA Kolese Kanisius in Menteng, Central Jakarta.
Not wanting to build walls, students from two senior high schools chose to build "bridges" between differences. The bridges cross the gulf of primordialism and violence, which have grown in the country recently.
Via a social media campaign called Ragamuda, they invite high school students to post photos on Instagram along with messages celebrating their membership to the diverse group of people called Indonesians.
The bridges cross the gulf of primordialism and violence, which have grown in the country recently.
"I move because I realize that we are diverse, diverse is Indonesia, and we are Indonesia. You?" is the text, which accompanies one set of photos.
Using the hashtag #PLURALisME the movement has spread rapidly. By Sunday evening, #PLURALisME had been used nearly 7,500 times. Another hashtag #BersamaMerawatPerbedaan had been used up to 1,460 times.
Uploads to Instagram begin with poster’s name and school, followed by their thoughts on the diversity of Indonesia. The uploaded photos express optimism for a better future.
The movement has spread beyond students from Al-Ishar and Kolese Kanisius. After beginning on Saturday, it has attracted students and teachers from senior high school SMA Mardi Waluya Cibinong, vocational school SMK PIKA Semarang, state senior high school SMAN 61 Jakarta and SMAN 28 Jakarta, with the number continuing to increase.
Concerns about hate
The campaign, initiated by the Intra School Student Organization (OSIS) of SMA Al-Izhar and SMA Kolese Kanisius, began in response to the concern among students about the level of hate, based on ethnicity and religion, that has risen in Indonesia lately, and which marked the Jakarta gubernatorial election.
Interaction between students from the two schools was sparked during an interfaith seminar, which involved the two schools.
"Amid the present divisive situation, it seems there is an effort to sow the seeds of intolerance within the younger generation. That should be avoided because it has no future. In fact, we are the ones who will be there," said Reza Imansyah, chairman of Ragamuda, who is also a student of SMA Kolese Kanisius.
As part of the program, many students go to schools with majority Buddhist or Muslim students and even to Islamic boarding schools.
He said he was increasingly aware of the importance of respecting differences following his participation in a school program last year where Class XII students were asked to study at another school to gain experience living outside their normal environment. As part of the program, many students go to schools with majority Buddhist or Muslim students and even to Islamic boarding schools.
The sentiment was echoed by Laurentius Mikhael, a Class XI student of Kolese Kanisius.” Religion should be private and not a barrier to diversity in Indonesia. In the capital city, people should be role models," he said.
Katya Narendratayana, a Class XI student of Al-Izhar, said it is a fact that Indonesia is a diverse country and that tolerance will enable people to live side by side. This topic has been discussed at his school and there is agreement that unity and tolerance should be promoted to avoid provoking conflict.
"Through social media we want to offer positive alternatives to other users," said Katya.
English teacher and coach of OSIS of SMA Al-Izhar Diah Sulistiowati said the school fully supports the initiative. Teachers also participate and inform parents.
”We hope the students will be able to have an awareness of diversity and appreciate that something cannot be seen only from a single point of view," Diah said.
The digital campaign will be held until June 8, but Reza plans to make sure it does not stop there.
