Co authored by Ihsan Sa'dudin, Syekh Nurjati State Islamic of Religion, Indonesia & Eka Safitri, Jenderal Soedirman University, Indonesia
Abstract
Plurality is a social fact that exists in Indonesia. Everyone has the right to get freedom to practice religious teachings and beliefs including the right to freedom of thought, belief, and religion. The diversity of religions, ethnicities, cultures, and races has a very high potential for a conflict. The Indonesian nation is a pluralistic nation so that intersections that cause conflict are prone to occur. Based on the Mid-Year Report on the Conditions of Freedom of Religion/Belief and Religious Minorities in Indonesia 2018 Setara Institute noted that up to 30 June 2018 there were 109 incidents of violence of religious freedom with 136 actions.
This shows that religious tolerance and belief have not yet grown consciously in Indonesian society. This is because in principle every individual is free to have and believe in his or her religion and practice the teachings that are fully believed. There is one region in Indonesia that has succeeded in instilling an awareness of tolerance in the midst of diversity of religious communities so that it has succeeded in suppressing conflicts over religious issues and beliefs, namely the Kampung Laut region, Central Java, Indonesia. The development of the Kampung Laut community has the socio-religious characteristics of the south coast community. The diverse religious population does not necessarily lead to conflict in the Kampung Laut community. Muslims and Christians live peacefully without disturbing the practice of worship and rituals of adherents of other religions. Every religious group can express obedience to their teachings in the private and public sphere. Research shows Christians implement values in the Gospel and so do Muslims implement the teachings of the Qur'an in social life.
This research shows that the values of harmony that they carry out in life are reflected in the Holy Scriptures such as the Gospel and the Qur'an. The research surces taken from the attitude of Christians towards Muslims as a representation of Deuteronomy 10: 18-19, Luke 10: 29-37, Galatians 6: 10, Leviticus 19: 33-34, and Matthew 5: 43-44. While the attitude of Muslims towards Christians as a representation of Surah Al-Mumtahanah: 8, Al-Hujurat 11 and 13, Ali Imran: 64, Al-Baqarah: 256, and An-Nahl: 36. The implementation of their Holy Book values creates harmony in social lives.
Thank you mas Ihsan and mba Safitri for your article. I can see the use of the scriptures to bridge and maintain the harmonius relationship in Kampung Laut . It is needed especially in our multicultural and multireligious context in Indonesia as well as globally. Do you think that there is a possiblity for a real encounter in the grassroot level (not just the leader) to have dialogue together through the reading of scriptures together?
In practice, especially in Kampung Laut, interfaith have studied the teachings of other religions, although this is not done formally. Such as organizing Tabligh Akbar which invited followers of other religions, broadcasting speeches on Islamic or Christian holidays on television stations, the involvement of community organizations in maintaining religious holidays, and so on. Furthermore, the Government of Indonesia initiated an interfaith dialogue forum, namely FKUB (Forum for Religious Harmony/Forum Kerukunan Umat Beragama). In my opinion, various stakeholders in Indonesia have tried to maintain social harmony between religions. Terimakasih mbak Mandalika.