Minister of Religion Yaqut Says Religious Harmony in Papua is Good

Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas praised inter-religious harmony in Papua. Yaqut said, each individual puts forward togetherness and mutual respect for differences in belief. Thus, inter-religious harmony in Papua has been well established.
 
This was stated by the Minister of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, while giving a virtual speech, at the 167th year of Thanksgiving Worship Celebration of the Gospel Preaching Day (HPI), Monday (7/2/2022). This momentum, is the first time the Minister of Religion, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, has given a speech through his 5-minute video. The activity was enthusiastically welcomed by residents, and was attended by around 3,000 people in the yard of the Papuan People's Representative Council (DPRP) office.

"The situation and condition of the Papuan people who uphold the spirit of tolerance in various lives, we need to continue to maintain because this is a big capital in building a peaceful, independent and just Papua," Yaqut said in a statement received by Republika.co.id.

"The condition of Papua is in line with the religious moderation echoed by the current government," Yaqut added.

Yaqut also said that the government continues to encourage religious moderation as a step to foster tolerance in social life. So that tri-religious harmony, namely inter-religious harmony, inter-religious harmony and harmony between religious communities and the government can be realized.

"For this reason, the main values that form the foundation of tolerance are expected to grow from religions through their teachings and practices," said Yaqut.

In addition, as the Minister of Religion, he hopes that Christians in Papua will remain and continue to be role models in tolerance and humanity, and not be trapped in excessive fanaticism.

"So that what is our common goal can be realized, namely religion as a means to achieve God's pleasure in a harmonious and peaceful life," he said.

Yaqut also said that Papua is truly a peaceful land. Although, the majority of Papuans are Christians, the harmonious life between religious communities in the easternmost province of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia is maintained in harmony in the life of society, nation and state.

"The momentum of the 167-year Gospel Preaching Day in Papua is interpreted as the awakening of Papua, towards a peaceful Papua, Independent, Prosperous and just and remains united in the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia," he stressed.

Chairman of the Union of Papuan Churches (PGGP) Rev. Hizkia Rollo responding to Yaqut Cholil Qoumas' remarks said that the view of the Minister of Religion was extraordinary, related to togetherness and harmony. "If this togetherness and harmony remain well established, then all development processes in Papua will proceed well. Without these two things, the development process in this land will not run well," said Hezkia.

"Therefore, it is the hope of the Minister of Religion earlier, that it will become a unity for us to find common ground, where we collaborate with the government in which there are religious shops, to build this land towards a better Papua," he added.

Meanwhile, the President of GIDI, Rev. Dorman Wandikbo, said that in Papua there had never been a religious conflict. "Honestly, we in Papua love peace, and to this day the gospel has entered Papua until it has reached 167 years, we have not experienced religious conflicts. For that, Indonesia must learn from us Papuans, how to maintain religious tolerance on this land, "U Jarnya.

In line with that, the Chairman of the 167th HPI Committee, who is also the Chairman of the Papuan DPR, Jhony Banua Rouw, said that it was related to what was conveyed by the Minister of Religion earlier.

"The situation and condition of the Papuan people who uphold the spirit of tolerance in various lives needs to be maintained because this is a big capital in building a peaceful, independent and just Papua. This is what we want to convey that other regions must follow our example," he said.

SOURCE: https://www.republika.co.id/berita/r6ykbr396/menag-yaqut-sebut-kerukunan-umat-beragama-di-papua-terjalin-baik