Diversity, which is the main characteristic of a pluralistic society, must always be bound by bonds of unity among citizens. This spirit must become a shared ethos in the life of society, nation and state.
By
SUKIDI
·4 minutes read
SALOMO TOBING
Sukidi
The construction of Muhammadiyah's Taqwa Mosque in the Islamic province was again blocked! The constitutional rights of citizens to worship according to their religion and beliefs at mosques has not immediately materialized. The age of the Muhammadiyah, which is 33 years older than that of this republic and has contributed greatly to the establishment of modern Indonesia, does not in the least guarantee the fulfillment of basic constitutional rights for the Persyarikatan (Muhammadiyah) family.
Ironically, none of the leaders, local or national, stood at the forefront of upholding the constitution on the guarantee of freedom of belief in an equal and fair manner. The guarantee has become a consensus with the founding fathers of the nation as enshrined in the 1945 Constitution, Article 29 Paragraphs (1) and (2). However, the guarantee of freedom of belief that is fair and equal is rarely enforced by the state through its leaders. This is what makes Indonesia a "soft state" to borrow the term from Karl Gunnar Myrdal (1968). In fact, leaders should always be present to uphold the constitution equally for the progress of a Greater Indonesia.
Without consistent and firm enforcement of the constitution, uncivilized people become accustomed to committing open violations of the constitution. This immoral practice can turn into mere common sense because the enforcement of the constitution is not the first and foremost priority in the administration of the modern Indonesian state. This violation occurred for years in Cilegon, Banten. Imagine, there is a city in Indonesia that is filled with so many mosques without providing constitutional tolerance for the construction of churches, monasteries and temples.
In fact, the religious communities in Cilegon reflect Indonesia's diversity with 6,740 Protestants, 1,743 Catholics, 215 Buddhists, 215 Hindus and 7 Confucians, according to Indonesia Statistics (BPS) data in 2019.
Unfortunately, this religious pluralism is not accompanied by the commitment and political will of local or national leaders to uphold the constitutional mandate which guarantees fair and equal independence for every citizen to be able to worship according to their religion and beliefs and at the same time establish houses of worship. However, leaders often succumb to the tyrannical pressure of the majority rather than to the mandate of the constitution so that the city has moved far beyond the Pancasila-based state and the philosophy of diversity.
In this context, the leader must stick to the constitution and uphold the constitutional mandate in realizing a plural and harmonious society. The condition of the diversity of the Indonesian society has become a historical necessity requiring leaders to always be fair and equal to every citizen without discrimination on any basis.
Therefore, leaders are required to actively participate in realizing the diversity of Indonesia. It all starts with exemplary leadership and is accompanied by the active involvement of every citizen to fully understand and be aware of the fact that Indonesia stands tall on the pillars of diversity and survives eternally while maintaining diversity. This diversity requires every leader to be fair and equal to every citizen, regardless of religion and belief. We, leaders and citizens, are bound civilly, morally and intellectually to the philosophy of diversity. Leaders who are obsessed with uniformity and only benefit one-sided interests are actually against the main joints of diversity.
In the life of a pluralistic society, diversity requires every leader and citizen to adhere to the tradition of respect for others. This attitude of respect rests fully on the necessity of the doctrine of equality between citizens which is fully bound by the awareness of diversity. This awareness requires us, leaders and citizens, to be able to live in coexistence and equally in a pluralistic society. Only those who are fully aware of diversity can live in peace and harmony.
However, diversity, which is the main characteristic of a pluralistic society, must always be bound by bonds of unity among citizens. This spirit must become a shared ethos in the life of society, nation and state. With this ethos of unity, we uphold a united and equal Indonesia with the pillars of diversity.
