"With regard to the political situation following the election, we are obliged to mend our relationship as a nation, which has recently been disrupted," Yudhoyono said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called on the people to restore their brotherhood following the presidential election on July 9.

"With regard to the political situation following the election, we are obliged to mend our relationship as a nation, which has recently been disrupted," he said at a function marking the commemoration of the revelation of the Quran at the presidential palace here on Wednesday.

He reminded the Indonesian people of the need to strengthen their ties and rebuild harmony between groups that had supported different candidates in the recent election.

He said animosity must be stopped and people must avoid slander and prejudice against fellow citizens.

"We all know that the Quran teaches men to stay away from prejudice and gossips that may damage unity and brotherhood," he remarked.

He said, "the Quran also teaches us to conduct tabayyun or discernment to make the case clearer."

The tabayyun is very important for national unity and brotherhood, or we will be disrupted by misleading and untrue reports and opinions, he said.

"The Quran provides directives for creating a good society for the benefit of people," he said.

President Yudhoyono said the spirit of the Quran also requests the people to know each other and not isolate themselves, to forgive and not hate.

In short, the Quran teaches people to work together in goodness and not be evil and have animosity, he said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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