If (prerequisites) have been satisfied, then (development of places of worship) is a must. But, if prerequisites are not satisfied yet, then do not continue. Just verify and assess (conformity to prerequisites) to prevent conflictsPontianak, West Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has said that the development of places of worship must continue if endorsements from public members and relevant authorities have been obtained.
"If (prerequisites) have been satisfied, then (development of places of worship) is a must. But, if prerequisites are not satisfied yet, then do not continue. Just verify and assess (conformity to prerequisites) to prevent conflicts," Amin stated during his working visit here, Thursday.
The vice president pointed out that Joint Religious Affairs Minister and Home Affairs Minister Regulation No. 8 and 9 of 2006 are the legal basis for the establishment of places of worship in Indonesia.
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"The development of places of worship has been regulated in the joint religious affairs minister and home affairs minister regulation. The regulation is codified per an agreement between religious associations at that time because of recurring conflicts on places of worship," he said.
Amin pointed out that besides the joint minister regulation, Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB) in provinces is also ready to mediate religious conflicts.
If all stakeholders abide by prevailing laws while seeking to develop a new place of worship, conflicts due to the rejection of places of worship would not occur, he added.
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"If prerequisites have been satisfied, then there is no reason to reject (the place of worship), but if they are yet to satisfy the prerequisite, then they must not intrude upon others, particularly because we already have the regulation for this," Amin remarked.
Earlier, Religious Affairs Ministry's Centre for Religious Harmony (PKUB) Head, Wawan Djunaedi, said that regional leaders must accommodate the interest of religious communities by facilitating the establishment of places of worship if all prerequisites have been satisfied.
In response to the recent involvement of Banten Province’s Cilegon Mayor Helldy Agustian in the signing of a declaration to reject the construction of a church in the city, the ministry's official said that regional leaders must respect the religious rights and rights of worship of residents.
He added that the Cilegon authority must not heed outdated regional head decisions, including two dated back to 1975, to justify their rejection of the establishment of non-Muslim places of worship in the city.
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Translator: Desca Lidya N, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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