Opening Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Inauguration of the 9th National Meeting of Indonesian Islamic Da’wah Institute (LDII) on 7 April 2021 from the State Palace, Jakarta
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Distinguished Ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet, Minister of Religious Affairs, Minister of State Secretary,
Distinguished Chairs and Members of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia,
Distinguished Chair of Central Management Board of the Indonesian Islamic Da’wah Institute (LDII) Chriswanto Santoso,
Distinguished religious leaders and ulema, Advisory Board of LDII Sulthon Aulia Abdul Aziz, Edi Suparto, Mulyono,
Distinguished members of LDII Central Management Board and religious management boards in provinces, regencies, and cities of Indonesia,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank God, we are very grateful that we inherit Bhinneka Tunggal Ika from our founding fathers. Although we are different, we have different tribes, races, religions, and religious perspectives, we still respect each other, we remain united, still getting along and cooperating.
Tolerance is a must. (We must) respect all differences, including religious differences, respect and learn from each other, so we all have the same level of respect of differences.
Being closed and exclusive are against Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. Being closed will lead to and increase intolerance and will destroy our nation. We must avoid exclusive and closed religious practices as they will trigger rejection and contestation.
Therefore, I appeal to all members and leaders of LDII to always speak up for and boost tolerance in our social and religious life, to always speak up for openness, to be open to differences, to socialize, to work hand in hand regardless of differences, including, once again, religious differences.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Government is committed to and will always strive to push for religious moderation. Intolerance, especially coupled with physical and religious violence, has no place in Indonesia. Violence in practicing religions, which causes conflicts in society, has no place in our beloved country. The LDII must continue to maintain and improve its commitment to adhere to a new paradigm that is open, tolerant, and based on Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, that truly respects other religions, that really respects Muslims with different religious perspectives, that is willing to cooperate with other Islamic organizations, and certainly that has not the slightest perspective to shun other Islamic organizations.
We must adhere to amiable and friendly religious teachings that put tolerance first and avoid being closed, being exclusive. And the Government, once again, will not give room for intolerance and a close mind to grow. I have said it several times in every remark that the Government will take firm action against every form of intolerance that can destroy our nation. Therefore, religious organizations must improve religious moderation that supports unity, that supports our integration.
First, religious organizations must have a national commitment that is strong and, I have told this to Chair of LDII, prioritizes national principles written in our constitution, upholds the ideology of Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution, and life of the people and the nation.
Second, religious organizations must uphold tolerance, respect differences, give room to other people to embrace their beliefs, to express their expression, and to express opinions, respect equality and differences, and be willing to cooperate.
Third, religious organizations must have a principle, this is crucial, anti-violence principle, reject actions that employ violence, both physical and verbal.
Finally, religious organizations must respect local traditions and cultures of Indonesian people that are very diverse, be friendly and open to the diverse traditions we inherit from our ancestors, be friendly and open to local art and cultures in the framework of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika as Indonesian.
That concludes my speech on this auspicious occasion and by saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I hereby inaugurate the 9th National Meeting of the Indonesian Islamic Da’wah Institute this morning.
I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. (DH/EP)