Religious Harmony Becomes An Unappreciated Nation's Wealth

Cooperation (Photo: dock. Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Indonesia is projected to become a qibla for world harmony thanks to cultural and religious diversity that lives in harmony.

Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion of Central Sulawesi Province Mohsen Alaydrus said religious harmony is the wealth of the nation that is priceless.

In a global context, he said, climate change and the humanitarian crisis are the main concerns. In this case, the Ministry of Religion continues to play a role in environmental conservation campaigns, including through cross-religious collaboration as initiated in the Istiqlal Declaration in 2024, which was signed by the Leader of the Catholic Church Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on September 5, 2024.

"The importance of unity, tolerance, humanity, and environmental control," he said, quoting Antara.

This affirmation was conveyed by Mohsen when reading the remarks of the Minister of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia at the Commemoration Ceremony of the 79th Charity Day (HAB) on January 3, 2025.

According to him, HAB recalled the historic moment when the ministry was founded in 1946 under the Sjahrir II Cabinet with HM Rasjidi as the first Minister of Religion.

"The day of Charity is a reminder of the value of the ministry's dedication and commitment to religious communities in Indonesia," he said.

The 2024 HAB commemoration carries the theme "People's Rukun Towards a Golden Indonesia," according to him, in line with the aspirations of the Prabowo-Gibran government which emphasizes the importance of strengthening the Pancasila ideology, increasing tolerance, and creating harmony with nature and culture.

The inaugural speech of the Minister of Religion in 1946 emphasized the importance of maintaining religious interests and their adherents. Indonesia is not a religious or secular country, but a country that respects the diversity of religiosity of its people.

The role of the Ministry of Religion includes maintaining freedom of worship, improving the quality of inter-religious relations, and bridging the distance between religious teachings and the practice of daily life.

However, he continued, challenges such as corruption, violence, and moral inequality are homework that must be overcome. The success of the Ministry of Religion's duties lies in the extent to which people are close to religious values.

Mohsen said that the Ministry of Religion also focuses on improving the quality of religious and religious education at all levels. The Free Nutrition Eating Program for students in ministries fostered institutions is one of the priorities.

In addition, the economic empowerment of the people is carried out through the pesantren independence program, zakat and waqf management, as well as other philanthropic movements.