Indonesia: Tolerance — The True Test of a Great Nation - Editorial

Religious tolerance must be prioritized at all cost given Indonesia’s multi-religious, multi-ethnic makeup. If one race or religion is allowed to ride roughshod over others, it will split the nation and create social conflict.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Jakarta Globe
By TJG | October 24, 2011

Religious tolerance in Indonesia, to a certain extent, is often taken for granted. It is so woven into the social fabric that we rarely think about it.

But recent attacks on religious minorities, such as the Ahmadiyah and Christians, by radical Islamic groups have raised concern among the country’s ruling elite. So much so that there is now active discussion of formulating a new bill on religious tolerance.

Last week, Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Agung Laksono, Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali and Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi all met with each other and endorsed the bill.

“We need a regulation that contains both conflict prevention and solutions to the problems obstructing religious harmony,” Agung said.


The current draft of the bill regulates various religious rights and obligations such as proselytization, celebrating religious holidays, constructing places of worship, funerals, and religious education.

That the government is taking the issue seriously is encouraging. Religious tolerance must be prioritized at all cost given Indonesia’s multi-religious, multi-ethnic makeup. If one race or religion is allowed to ride roughshod over others, it will split the nation and create social conflict.

Any group that incites violence against others must be severely dealt with. If the new bill is to have teeth, it must clearly spell out the punishment and clearly define what is acceptable and what is not.

Legislation, however, is not sufficient. We must educate young people on the importance of religious tolerance in schools. We must inculcate in them a desire to respect others as fellow citizens with the right to practice their own faiths, as guaranteed by the constitution.

The courts and police must also play their part by bringing the full force of the law against those who seek to harm the nation. There can be no other way.

The freedom of worship is central to the foundations of any modern nation. All Indonesians must have equal protection under the law if we are to take our rightful place alongside other developed nations. Economic growth alone does not define the true standing of a country. How it treats its citizens, especially the weak, is the true mark of a great nation.


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