President Jokowi : Religion and State Must Go Hand in Hand

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 14 April 2018
Category: News
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President Jokowi at Religious Counselor Across Central Java Gathering held at Pancasila Field, Simpang Lima, Semarang City, Central Java Province, Saturday (14/4). (Foto: BPMI)

President Jokowi at Religious Counselor Across Central Java Gathering held at Pancasila Field, Simpang Lima, Semarang City, Central Java Province, Saturday (14/4). (Foto: BPMI)

Religion and state must go hand in hand and mutually reinforce, not against to each other, according to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

The President made the statement in the remarks at the gathering with Religious Counselor Across Central Java province held at Pancasila Field, Simpang Lima, Semarang City, Central Java Province, Saturday (14/4).

“The State provides protection in people’s belief and religion provides guidance on how to behave in community,” President Jokowi said.

“Therefore, the role of religious counselors becomes very important to realize a religion that is friendly to its people and interfaith believers. Religious counselors should also set examples of noble character, to interact with each other with full empathy and mutual respect,” the President continued

President Jokowi also reminded that religious counselors must be able to foster motivation, hope and optimism, not the opposite – provoking pessimism. “Positive thoughts will raise passion for all people,” said the President.

Furthermore, President Jokowi explained government officials and religious leaders should always work hand in hand to build a solid Indonesia and promote mutual understanding between religions, interethnic and social status.

At the beginning of the remarks, President Jokowi  also acknowledged that the religious counselors across Central Java present in the event were 5,711 people, as representatives of Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism.   “Thank you for your participation, willingness, and sincerity to maintain the unity,” said President Jokowi.

On that occasion, President Jokowi also showed his appreciation to religious counselors for their contribution to strengthen the harmony of the nation through Pancasila (state ideology) and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity – state motto). According to the President the role of religion is very substantial and added that  in Pancasila, the first precept about the Almighty God inspirit the other four precepts. “Humanity, unity, and justice are all built within God framework. This is what we must understand,” the President stated.

President Jokowi went on to say that various researches have shown that the majority of Indonesian people (above 80 percent) consider religion to be very important. “However, at the same time it is also portrayed that social conflict caused by religious matters must be constantly anticipated. This is our common concern,” the President said.

President Jokowi also advised people not to focus on differences, especially the differences related to choice in the regents/mayors election, gubernatorial election, as well as presidential election.

“This year in Central Java there are gubernatorial election and seven regent/mayor election. Later in 2019, we will have the presidential election. I would like to ask religious counselor to help convey to public that differences in democracy are common. After the election, let’s unite again and work together to build this country,” the President continued.

Also present in the event were Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Chairman of the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) K.H. Ma’ruf Amin, Acting Governor of Central Java Heru Sudjatmoko and Chairman of United Development Party (PPP) Romahurmuziy. (BPMI/EN) (STU/EP/Naster)

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