BRIN's Social and Humanities Studies Research Organization Head, Ahmad Najib Burhani, stated that interfaith conflicts steadily declined following political polarization which caused interfaith tensions during the 2014 general elections.
"There were assumptions that religious polarization may occur again after 2014. It did happen again, though on a smaller scale (than in 2014). We may attribute this to the government's success in promoting religious moderation," Burhani stated at a public discussion here on Wednesday.
He remarked that the disbandment of Muslim fundamentalist organizations Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) and Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), as well as the reconciliation between Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto, also contributed to defusing interfaith tension nationally.
He stressed that simply resolving interfaith conflicts is not enough as the government needs to take further steps to strengthen religious harmony, including implementing the "Religious maslahah" principle, which prioritizes actions benefiting all religious communities.
Related news: Ministries collaborate to bolster religious moderation in universities
"The concept is our endeavor to discover the potential to realize common good and prosperity (from religious values)," Burhani stated.
He explained that the "Religious maslahah" is based on Islamic jurisprudence principles that public decisions should be made in the interests of maintaining the religion, self, the offspring, property, and the environment.
He highlighted that it has also been integrated as one of the agendas promoted in the Long-term National Development Plan (RPJPN) for the 2025-2045 period.
Burhani expects it would help bolster interfaith harmony in Indonesia to achieve the common goal of prosperity and to realize the Golden Indonesia Vision by the nation's centenary in 2045.
Related news: Indonesia a success story of national unity, tolerance: Ministry
Translator: Sean Filo Muhamad, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
