"The situation ahead of the regional elections in November is already quite intense. We will immediately push for conflict prevention efforts with closer coordination," Director of Islamic Religious Affairs and Sharia Development at the ministry, Adib, stated here on Wednesday.
Considering earlier political contestations, Adib remarked that the potential for conflicts from the use of religious sentiments still posed a threat.
Hence, tactical steps were necessary to anticipate such scenarios. He affirmed that the ministry has in place conflict prevention instruments, such as the Decree of the Minister of Religious Affairs Number 332 of 2023.
"All officials in the ministry, both from the central to the regional levels, must implement it," he remarked.
Adib affirmed that synergy within the central and regional levels, as well as cross-agency cooperation, are paramount to building harmony in society.
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"For example, synergy between the police, the army, and the National Unity and Politics Agency at the Ministry of Home Affairs to the prosecutor's office. We are trying to build collaboration with related agencies," he remarked.
He stated that cooperation must start at the central level through a memorandum of understanding so that policymakers in the regions can immediately carry out their duties.
"We will conduct piloting in several regions. If they have synergized, we will implement it nationally. In the end, we hope to have a National Map of Building Harmony," he remarked.
Adib further affirmed that security, peace, and harmony are the main capital to build a nation. Hence, he appealed to the community to work together to reduce every conflict.
"Two things are needed, namely strengthening religious moderation and mitigating religious conflicts," he emphasized.
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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Katriana
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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