Watimpres Habib Luthfi: The Song Indonesia Raya Is Not Just A Song But A Pledge

JAKARTA - Member of Watimpres Habib Muhammad Luthfi bin Yahya said that Indonesia Raya is not just a song but a pledge that Indonesia is the homeland, and spilled blood that belongs to all tribes and groups in this country.

"We have vowed 'Indonesia is my homeland', prove that pledge wherever you (the nation's children) go, it is not just a song but must be embedded in us," said Habib Luthfi in a statement received in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Monday, 27 September.

According to him, if the national pledge is embedded in the children and grandchildren of the nation's generation, then the disease of radicalism and intolerance that deviates from the basic values of Pancasila will not infect or 'tweak' the harmony of this country.

Not only that, but Habib Luthfi also explained that the national symbol of Garuda Pancasila, the flag of the Saka Merah Putih also has other meanings that must be known by the next generation of the nation.

"The Red and White Flag is not just a symbol of the meaning of the colors red and white, but more than that, our Red and White Flag contains the meaning of honor, self-respect, and national identity," he said while speaking at the National Dialogue on Diversity to Save the Nation with the Leaders of the Cross Religion High Council and the ranks of Forkopimda of Banten Province and Tangerang City, at Trisna Wijaya Hall, Modern Land, Tangerang, Sunday (26/9) night.

Therefore, Habib Luthfi said, respecting the Red and White Flag has a deep meaning as respect for this nation, respect for everything and everything that exists in this nation regardless of religious, ethnic, and racial differences.

"In fact, nationalism without history will certainly be fragile. People who are strong in nationalism are people who know the history and do not forget history. That is very basic," said Habib Luthfi.

He added that by knowing and knowing history, people will understand how the predecessors of this nation fought and how they loved their nation.

He said that the next generation of the nation must know the history of the struggle until the establishment of the Red and White in the archipelago so that it is not easy to fall into radicalism.

"How to deal with it? Yes, we (clerics and community leaders) go down and touch the community," he said.

Habib Luthfi considers the lack of touch of the lower layers of society to national insight, so they are less familiar with what radicalism is, what pluralism is, how to live in diversity, and so on.

He considered that what the ulama had done in broadcasting religious values was quite good, and now it was just a matter of how these figures and youths could participate in contributing to the Indonesian nation.

"Let's go down together, for example tonight's meeting. Even if we need to add local figures like RT/RW, village heads, I really hope so," he said.

He considers that efforts to maintain Pancasila as the state ideology through socialization and instilling values are not easy, but there needs to be cooperation from various layers and must touch directly with the community such as involving the local RT/RW, regents/mayors, sub-district heads, village heads, heads of state. village and local leaders.

"But still, before we give knowledge of national insight and so on, we need to come well, touch first, let them know us first, then include what values we want to teach," he said.

Habib Luthfi also hopes that the gathering event initiated by BNPT to the ulama, figures, and levels of society needs continuity and should not just stop here.

To this day, radical movements and ideologies continue to undermine the country, so teaching and strengthening the values of Pancasila is the most effective way to fight ideologies that threaten the country.

"So it's not only located here, maybe it can reach Central Java, East Java, Lampung and so on. It can't just stop here," said Habib Luthfi.