VP: Interfaith Harmony is Key to National Unity
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin delivering a speech virtually at the National Celebration of Lunar New Year 2572 Kongzili, Sunday (14/02/2021). (Photo: Office of Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media Affairs of the Vice Presidential Secretariat)
Indonesia’s ethnic, religious, and racial diversity is a uniqueness that gives Indonesian people a sense of pride of their country, according to Vice President Ma’ruf Amin.
However, the VP added, many conflicts have emerged due to these differences; thus, efforts to boost interfaith harmony is required to maintain integrity and unity of the nation.
“I hope all mass organizations, especially religious ones, continue to play your role and contribute to maintain interfaith harmony, build national unity and integrity, for harmony is the primary factor in preserving national integrity,” the Vice President said at the National Celebration of Lunar New Year 2572 Kongzili through a video conference, Sunday (14/02/2021), aired on the YouTube channel of the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia.
On that occasion, the VP also urged the Confucian Supreme Council of Indonesia (MATAKIN), which consists of mostly businesspersons, to assist the Government’s efforts to rebuild the national economy impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The VP also expressed appreciation for the participation of the organization in overcoming social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’d like to express my most sincere appreciation to MATAKIN and all Confucians for their role and contribution to help the people overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and its socioeconomic impacts,” the VP stated.
According to the VP, this is in line with the efforts of the Government to accelerate the handling of COVID-19 pandemic as well as national economic recovery.
“The key is the discipline to observe health protocols. We have to adjust to remain active and productive,” he said, while urging religious leaders to continue supporting the Government’s efforts to maintain public health by implementing tight health protocols.
“The advice and guidance of religious figures will strengthen the obedience and belief of the people in the effects of not implementing health protocol,” he said.
In addition, the VP expressed hope that the national economy can be recovered quickly through the support of mass organizations.
“I hope the support of MATAKIN and all Confucians can bring a significant impact on the acceleration of national economic recovery due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
The VP also expressed optimism that Indonesia can endure this difficult time and rise from this pandemic.
“I believe that with the best spirit and efforts, accompanied with prayers, as well as innovation and creativity, we can go through this tough time and rebuild a better Indonesia,” he remarked.
To close his speech at the event with the theme of “Prayers for Indonesia”, the VP conveyed a Lunar New Year greeting and expressed hope that the pandemic would not lessen the solemnity of celebration and that the new year would be a better year than before.
“Happy Lunar New Year to Confucians. I hope God continues to provide you with protection and blessings, as well as the opportunity to clean your heart, purify your conscience, and try to be better than you were in the previous years,” the VP said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Choil Qoumas expressed hope that this year’s celebration of Lunar New Year would be used as a momentum of self-reflection to become a better person.
“The essence of a New Year is not the celebration, but the effort to correct the past journey, to be grateful for another opportunity, and to plan for improvement for the next journey,” stated Yaqut. (Office of Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media Affairs of the Vice Presidential Secretariat/UN) (DH/EP)
