Interfaith Prayer Gathering Strengthens Indonesia’s Unity Ahead of Its 81st Independence Anniversary
National Dhikr (Islamic chants praising God) and Prayer event held at the National Monument (Monas), Jakarta, on Saturday (08/01) to commemorate the 81st Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia served as a moment of togetherness for religious leaders and members of the community to offer prayers for the nation. The event also reaffirmed that Indonesia’s diversity is a source of strength that is continuously nurtured through the spirit of unity, tolerance, and mutual cooperation.
Romo (Father) Agustinus Heri Wibowo, a priest and Chair of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Archdiocese of Jakarta said that prayer is an important foundation in the life of a nation because every effort we make must be coupled by prayer for God’s guidance and protection.
“Prayers are our fundamental foundation as a religious nation. All efforts we make as a human being, including our cooperation, should be accompanied by prayer so God always bless, favor, and bring to completion every works that we have planned, done, and will undertake,” he said.
In the meantime, the Chair of Indonesia’s national Hindu priests and community organization Pinandita Sanggraha Nusantara, Pinandita Gede Pastika, delivered his appreciation for the organization of that interfaith national prayer event which is deemed important to strengthen harmony within Indonesia’s diverse society.
“On behalf of Hindu community, we really appreciate the event. This is how we strengthen harmony among our diverse community and layers of society,” he said.
Similar view was shared by Deputy Secretary General of the Indonesia’s Buddhist monks (bhikkhus) and nuns (bhikkhunis) organization Sangha Agung Indonesia, Venerable Bhikkhu Bhadranatha. According to him, interfaith prayer reflected Indonesia’s ability to maintain the unity in diversity.
“To maintain the unity and harmony, we need to uphold the values of compassion within ourselves. Above all, the deeply rooted values of Pancasila show that, although we are a diverse nation, we can strengthen our unity and grow beautifully if we continuously nurture compassion because this is Indonesia,” he said.
Chair of the Indonesia’s Supreme Council for Confucian Religion, Xueshi (Xs.) Budi S. Tanuwibowo, stated that interfaith prayer demonstrated that Indonesia is able to maintain diversity in a peaceful manner. Differences, he added, are not a tool for conflict; rather, they are like an orchestra composed of various musical instruments that come together in harmony, united by one shared song: Indonesia.
“Cooperation among various religious beliefs in a harmony reflects the first principle [of Pancasila]. Then comes the principle regarding humanity which states that beyond all our differences, we share one humanity. With unity, we can discuss, deliberate, and find common ground. Hopefully, through our togetherness, we can build a just, prosper, and thriving Indonesia,” he said.
On that occasion, Chair of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), Rev. Jacklevyn Frits Manuputty stated that Indonesia’s history as a nation is inseparable from prayers from the believers.
“I believe these are the noble values that were established by the founders of this nation from the very beginning. They looked beyond differences in ethnicity or religion, but stood together as one. I think this is an extraordinary legacy that we must preserve and safeguard for the continued unity of Indonesia in the future,” Rev. Jacklevyn said.
According to Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar, the National Dhikr and Prayer event serves as a form of gratitude for achievements made by the nation and an effort to seek God’s blessings for Indonesia’s future.
“I believe we shall offer our prayers and express our gratitude to God, as we have managed to, at the very least, maintain our national unity amid the conditions we have faced so far, and we pray that we will continue to grow and then transform Indonesia into the epicenter of the world civilization in the future,” said Nasaruddin.
The Minister also urged the public to continue fostering the unity and harmony despite the diversity so Indonesia can achieve the goals of independence. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (RAS/TM)
