I am very concerned and regretful. Such a thing should not have happened if both sides respected and understood each other, and abided by the rulesJakarta (ANTARA) - Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has described reports of several disputes involving communities during Christmas celebrations as regrettable, saying they were detrimental to inter-religious harmony.
"I am very concerned and regretful. Such a thing should not have happened if both sides respected and understood each other, and abided by the rules," he said, according to a ministry press release here on Wednesday.
One of the disputes was reported in Tulang Bawang, Lampung, where some people reportedly entered a church that was opened for Christmas worship without notice, even though the building was yet to get a permit for operation, he noted.
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Video footage showing a congregation being forced to worship outside a church building that had been sealed due to building permit problems in Kota Baru, Jambi was also circulated among the public, he said.
In Surabaya, the construction of the Citraland Indonesian Christian Church (GKI) in Lakarsantri ran into problems, he noted. However, the problems were resolved, and construction was allowed to continue, he added.
"I ask the heads of the Regional Religious Affairs Ministry (Kakankemenag) and Religious Affairs Offices (KUA) staff to monitor the situation and conditions and take persuasive steps so that similar incidents do not occur again," Qoumas appealed.
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Everyone must contribute to the creation of inter-religious harmony and tolerance, he said.
"When it comes to the establishment of places of worship, the reference is clear, that is the joint ministerial regulation between the Home Affairs Ministry and the Religious Affairs Ministry. The public must also have the same awareness to follow the regulation," he stressed.
He said he expected the public to exercise care and be wise when addressing problems related to places of worship to prevent the emergence of issues.
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Translator: Asep F, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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