Chinese New Year Celebration Provides Momentum to Strengthen Interfaith Harmony
The celebration of Chinese New Year serves as the right opportunity to strengthen religious harmony and the spirit of togetherness.
By
Nina Susilo
·4 minutes read
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The celebration of Chinese New Year serves as the right opportunity to strengthen religious harmony and the spirit of togetherness. It is the key to maintaining the integrity of the nation, including in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and its social and economic impacts.
This appeal was made by a number of national figures during the national Chinese New Year celebration, which was virtually held by the Confucian Supreme Council of Indonesia (Matakin) on Sunday (14/2/2021). Present at the event were Vice President Ma\'ruf Amin, Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan.
In his speech, the Vice President expressed his appreciation for the Chinese New Year celebration, which was held virtually and titled "Prayers for Indonesia". According to the Vice President, the theme was in line with the government\'s efforts to accelerate the handling of the pandemic and the national economic recovery, for which the main key is to adhere to health protocols, including preventing crowds, especially during religious holidays.
The Vice President hoped that Confucian religious leaders would continue to encourage people to be disciplined in implementing health protocols.
The Vice President also appreciated the role and contribution of Matakin and the Confucian community in helping address the COVID-19 pandemic. He said they were expected to contribute further in order to accelerate the national economic recovery. The Vice President hoped that Confucian religious leaders would continue to encourage people to be disciplined in implementing health protocols.
"I hope all mass organizations, especially those based on religion, will continue to play a role, contribute to maintaining religious harmony and build national unity and integrity because this is our main asset," said the Vice President.
Reflection
Yaqut Cholil emphasized that togetherness as part of a pluralistic nation and the country’s existing brotherhood should not be disturbed just because of ethnic and religious differences.
"The strengthening of religious identity and the strengthening of national identity on the other hand cannot be separated, let alone contested. The concept must be put in one box to create moderation in religion. Religious piety and loyalty to the state must support one another," he said.
Therefore, this year’s Chinese New Year can serve as the right time for reflection to improve as a person, both in terms of personal and social piety. This can be carried out by fostering a spirit of togetherness, unity and by building solidarity and caring for each other, he said.
Yaqut also quoted the words of Confucius, who said “in the four corners of the ocean we are brothers”. He considered the quote appropriate to express the importance of togetherness, unity and brotherhood. Indonesia, which is rich in ethnic, cultural and religious diversity, needed strong bonds of unity because turning Indonesia into a developed nation could not rely on only one element of the nation, he said.
"The government and the people must contribute according to their respective portions, according to their duties and obligations. If we can do it consistently, surely we can overcome all challenges," he added.
Harmony
This year\'s Chinese New Year was celebrated with the theme "The danger that comes from the trials of God Almighty certainly can be overcome, but the danger due to our own carelessness and ignorance will be difficult for us to overcome". According to the chairman of the spiritual council of Matakin, Budi Santoso Tanuwibowo, the theme was chosen to remind observers that whatever disaster people faced, it could be overcome if everyone in the nation was united and worked together.
"If we are negligent, busy fighting with one another, a bigger disaster will come. Hopefully the theme that was raised from one of the Confucian books can make us all focus on dealing with all the problems we face, as brothers to maintain harmony," he said.
Budi also emphasized that Matakin had advised that celebrations in the midst of the pandemic be aimed at more at social awareness. He added that the essence of the Lunar New Year was not revelry.
Anies Baswedan said mutual cooperation had indeed become the basis for overcoming various problems and that optimism needed to be nurtured in every difficulty faced.