The differences among human beings are inevitable, as shown in the reality of life.Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has emphasized that harmony among the people is important for maintaining national unity and peace, which are key for realizing the vision of an Advanced Indonesia.
He made the statement in a video on the commemoration of Nuzulul Qur’an 1444 Hijri/2023, which was broadcast on the YouTube channel of the Secretariat of the Vice President on Friday evening.
Nuzulul Qur’an commemorates Prophet Muhammad’s first revelation, which is believed to have been conveyed to him on the 17th night of Ramadan which, this year, coincided with the evening of April 7.
“All good programs, plans, and works to realize the vision of an Advanced Indonesia can only be carried out if our nation is in harmony and unity," the Vice President remarked.
He noted that the command to maintain harmony is stated in the Qur'an Surah An-Nisa verse 114.
The verse says, "There is no good in most of their secret talks — except those encouraging charity, kindness, or reconciliation between people. And whoever does this seeking Allah’s pleasure, We will grant them a great reward."
Conciliating the community, including preventing conflicts and maintaining harmony, is an act that can help avert hardship, Amin said.
The message conveyed by the verse is very relevant for a large and diverse nation, such as Indonesia, for strengthening inter-religious harmony, he added.
"The differences among human beings are inevitable, as shown in the reality of life. Regarding this, the Qur'an has also stated in Surah Hud verse 118: ‘Had your Lord so willed, He would have certainly made humanity one single community of believers, but they will always choose to differ,’” he said.
According to the verse, if Allah SWT wills, all people will certainly become one community, however, Allah SWT has let people remain as different communities, he explained.
However, these differences should not spark disputes in the community, he said.
"Thus, it is very important to revitalize the lesson contained by the aforementioned verse in the life of (our) pluralistic nation to cement and maintain harmony in the society," he added.
The fasting month of Ramadhan — which began on March 23 this year, as announced by the Religious Affairs Ministry -- is the right opportunity to strengthen kinship and unity in the midst of existing differences to bolster national and human brotherhood, he said.
"We are grateful to Allah SWT because Muslims in Indonesia are wasathiyyin, meaning they think moderately and implement the principle of at-tawassuth or being moderate (in their stance on any issue), neither being extreme left nor extreme right," Amin noted.
He said that moderation and religious tolerance are crucial for building harmony.
The management of religious moderation is an important means for preventing conflict, building consensus, and maintaining national integrity, he added.
"I am grateful that the practice of religious moderation in our country has been able to become a reference for the international community. I hope that Muslims in Indonesia can maintain this good practice and are expected to have more contribution in realizing a peaceful world," he remarked.
With God's help and people’s hard work, Indonesia will be blessed and manage to reach glory, he said.
"God willing, our nation will continue to survive all hardships and challenges, thus it can keep advancing to become an evenly prosperous country," he added.
He also said that the Qur'an was revealed to become a guidance for humans and help them distinguish between right and wrong, as mentioned in Q.S. Al Baqarah verse 185.
The verse means, “Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard to distinguish between right and wrong. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then let them fast an equal number of days after Ramadhan. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful."
Amin said that there are two kinds of guidance in the Qur'an, namely general guidance, or hidayatul adillah, which has been given to all human beings, both to Muslims and non-Islamic believers.
The second one is the ma'unah guidance, or help from Allah SWT, which is bestowed to pious people, he added.
He said that in the Qur'an, people have been urged to invite others to do good, as mentioned in Surah Ali-Imran verse 104, saying "Let there be a group among you who call others to goodness, encourage what is good, and forbid what is evil — it is they who will be successful.”
Meanwhile, at the National Commemoration of Nuzulul Qur’an 1444 Hijri at the Religious Affairs Ministry’s headquarters here on Friday, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD said that Qur’an had inspired Indonesia to become a peaceful and tolerant nation.
“Diversity is a valuable wealth of Indonesia. It is our strong commitment to maintain (national) harmony," he said.
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Translator: Rangga Jingga, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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