Keep Promoting Tolerance

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

The Grand Mosque of Al Jauhar Yasfii (right) is located near the Santo Servatius Catholic Church (center) and the Pasundan Protestant Church (left) in Kampung Sawah, Bekasi, West Java. Kampung Sawah residents, the majority of whom are ethnic Betawi, coexist in harmony amid the various beliefs. The photo was taken on Dec. 13, 2017.

Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. The nation\'s motto is actual and real as reflected in the community, especially when celebrating religious holidays, such as Idul Fitri.

Look at the residents of Buneng hamlet, Boro village, Selorejo district, Blitar regency, East Java, as reported by this daily. Despite different beliefs, they help and encourage each other. The Buneng residents were happy to say happy Idul Fitri, as well as acknowledge the Waisak (Buddha Day of Enlightenment) holiday, the celebrations of which were close together, through banners attached to houses of worship or the people\'s residences.

A similar story was shown by the residents of Kampung Sawah, Pondok Melati district, Bekasi city, West Java. When the Muslims perform prayers, have get-together, other residents stand guard and give support. Conversely, during the Christmas celebration, it is the turn of the Muslims to help. The attitude of people of different religions to help each other and serve is also found in Bali, Central Java, South Sulawesi and the entire archipelago. Despite the differences, they are brothers and united.

Tolerance, which means different things, has been practiced by the inhabitants of this country for a long time. Even before this nation became independent, as mentioned in the Sutasoma by Empu Tantular during the Majapahit period in the 14th century, namely Bhinneka tunggal ika tan hana dharma mangrwa (different but still one, there is no hesitation). Even, long before the English philosopher Jhon Locke (1632-1704) wrote a book on tolerance, A Second Letter Concerning Tolerance.

KOMPAS/ADITYA PUTRA PERDANA

Young people prepare meals for breaking the fast at the Abu Bakr as-Siddiq Mosque in Thekelan hamlet, Batur village, Getasan district, Semarang regency, Central Java, Sunday (2/6/2019). Besides Muslims, the breaking of the fast was also attended by Buddhist and Christian residents. For a long time, the various religious communities in the hamlet have lived in harmony with one another.

However, it must be admitted, tolerance in this country is not yet established. There are still conflicts, even riots, which start from differences among people. There are still conflicts that are frequently based on ethnicity, religion, race and intergroups (SARA) in the community, especially when there is contestation, such as elections. This condition is exacerbated by issues that divide the people, hoaxes and provocations from the elites.

The Pew Research Center research in 2015 shows the level of intolerance in Indonesian society, from year to year, continues to increase. The radicalism index in 2016 was 43.6; showing Indonesia is in a vulnerable state. An Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) study shows, in the 2019 election, the issue of SARA was used to gain support from the people. In reality, the impact of using the SARA issue is clearly dividing the people.

Therefore, tolerance, which is developed through civil society, such as in Buneng hamlet, Kampung Sawah, and other regions, must continue to be reported. Such tolerance should be echoed so that it can inspire others and be replicated. Tolerance is the face of this nation. Building tolerance is not the responsibility of the government and state officials, but the essential call of humans to work with other fellow humans.

The 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, when he came to Indonesia, in July 2017, reminded us that tolerance must continue to be fought for. Efforts have to be carried out in everyday life, not only at certain times.