Eid Al-Fitr Can Be A Momentum For Togetherness To Face Identity Politics In The 2024 Election

Happy Eid al-Fitr 1444 Hijri. (Pexels/Rodnae Productions)

JAKARTA Ahead of Eid Al-Fitr 2023, Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Megawati Soekarno Putri finally officially appointed Ganjar Pranowo as a presidential candidate in the 2024 election.

"At 13.45, by saying bismillahirohmanirohim that Ganjar Pranowo's brother is now the Governor of Central Java as a cadre and party officer to increase his assignment as a candidate for president of the Republic of Indonesia from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle," Megawati said in her announcement at Batu Tulis Palace, Bogor on April 21, 2023.

Ganjar's appointment is considered very realistic. Moreover, when he saw his electability in the last year, which almost always occupies the top three positions in all survey institutions. Ganjar is a strong figure to compete with Anies Baswedan, who was first promoted as a presidential candidate by the NasDem Party, Democratic Party, and Prosperous Justice Party.

On the other hand, it is also a sign of the tendency for conflicts and divisions related to choice and identity to get bigger in the 2024 election. It has not been nominated, the smell of competition is already strong on social media.

Each sympathizer did not hesitate to 'fall' each other. See the tweet of the @DesyandiElvira account or the @AqilahAisyaah account on Twitter that saw Anies as a source of noise. Also, other accounts supporting Anies who considered Ganjar only a party official.

Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board Yahya Cholil Staquf does not deny that it is not an easy job to eliminate identity politics. This is because the political traditions of the Indonesian people were originally built on an identity basis.

"I think everyone knows and we ourselves in the leadership of NU realize that within NU the tendency of identity politics is still quite strong, especially because of the spirit or in the term "pearyorative" it can be said that NU's political relations are still very large," he said during the webinar 'Ormas Participation in Smart Voters Education to Create a 2024 Quality Election on January 25.

It's just that, don't be exploited excessively. Political elites must realize that exploiting identity sentiment as a weapon to satisfy political interests has a very dangerous and long-term impact.

It is better if all focus on community political education efforts so that grassroots can choose prospective officials based on rational considerations.

"This is a homework as well as a tough challenge for all parties, especially community organizations and religious organizations," he said.

Secretary of the Muhammadiyah Central Executive, Muhammad Izzul Muslimin on the same occasion also hopes that the 2024 General Election can run safely and peacefully.

"So that we can minimize things that become a disease from this election. We are grateful that we can get rid of the 2024 election," he said as quoted by the online channel.

Special Staff Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP) Antonius Benny Susetyo has the same opinion. At the moment of Eid al-Fitr, he asked all parties to maintain a sense of togetherness so that the democratic party can strengthen the sense of unity and integrity.

"Let's make Eid al-Fitr a momentum to make it happen. Eid is a momentum for us to establish a true brotherhood," said Benny in his statement to VOI on April 20.

Raising brotherhood, according to him, can be done with various simple actions that are full of meaning. Such as praying, congratulating, or visiting each other and keeping in touch with Muslim brothers who are currently celebrating Eid.

"Don't make differences in choice cause us as a nation to be scattered. Politicians should not also use identity politics as a political vehicle towards victory because actually the price paid will be higher. This nation will lose unity and integrity," he said.

Solidarity and brotherhood among religious believers must be maintained and grown, so that togetherness can be created, the estuary of which is a sense of belonging and protecting each other.

Happy Eid al-Fitr 1444 Hijri. Sorry to be born and inner. Hopefully, the 2024 General Election will not lead Indonesia to a brink of division, but will bring all Indonesian people to a better life of the nation and state.