THE RESPONSIBILTY OF YOUTH TO CREATE A BETTER INDONESIA

(Pluralism as Small Miracle for the Peace of Religions and Beliefs in Indonesia)

“There will be peace on earth when there is peace among the world religions.”
“No world peace without peace among religions;
no peace among religions without dialogue between religions”
(Hans Kung, “Global Responsibility”)

House of Indonesia (borrow Piet Khaidir’s words) is luxurious, consist of various of

religion, belief, ethnic, and race. House of Indonesia is the perfectly example of plural
country. As described by Emha Ainun Najib, house of Indonesia is very fame, glory and
luxurious, remarked with wealth plenitude of nature resource. Habitable by modes of family,
ethnic and culture. Palaced with wilderness virgins. Indonesia is heaven pictorial in the
world. However, peoples still live in the poor circle, corruption drama, violence that never
stop as shown at television or others mass media.
The ex-prime minister of our neighbour country, Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim,
mentioned that democracy conducted very well in Indonesia and resulted in the Indonesia’s
position as four world population that could succeed democracy. In the place that people said
that ‘Democracy did well’1, religious and belief conflict are going on and on without any way
out.
Indonesia is a country based on Pancasila, it means Indonesia nor a religion either
seculer state since the typhology of secular state does not want to involve in religious affairs.
According to Mahfud MD, Pancasila state is a religious nation state, meaning that a religious
nation state that protects and facilitate the development of all religion that embraced by its
people without distinguish the large number of the members. Start from this concept, it is a
certainty that a country has a constitusional obligation to protect religious freedom for every
each citizen.
Right of religious freedom is not absolute right without limits, but limited by
obligations and reponsibilities of person to appreciate and respect our fellow human beings,
no matter and whatever their religion. Remind that Indonesia is not a secular state, a state
regulations in the life of religions and beliefs is needed. Restriction and regulation are carried
out in the order to provide protection to the citizens, not intervention. Restricted by the state

1
“Demokrasi di Indonesia”, accessed from sites http://www.forum-politisi.org/berita/article.php?id=547 on
February 21, 2011

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was needed to prevent threats to the public society, public order, publich health, morals
public and the fundamental righst and freedom of others2.
The right to embrace religion and/or beliefs and to practice according to religious
and/or beliefs, including in the realm of Basic Human Rights. Guarantees freedom of religion
(freedom of belief) people as individuals and social beings have been listed and defined
explicitly in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)3, historical documents of
human rights4, Constitution of Medina (in 622, the 7th century AD) and Al-Quran5.
Normative core in freedom of religion and belief is internal freedom, freedom of external,
non-coercion/without coercion, non-discrimination, the right of a parent or guardian, the
freedom of institutions and legal status, nature can not be deferred (non-derogability)6.
Indonesia itself has guaranteed freedom religion and belief of each of its citizens in its
national legislations7.
However, the essence of restriction mentioned above apparently not understood by all
citizens of Indonesia and also the state aparatus. There were cases of violations and
discrimination in the freedom of religion and belief, “Destruction of Mosque of the
Ahmadiyah Community” (Tempointeraktif.com), “16 Society Organization Seal the Galilea
Church” (Antara News.com), “Moeslim uniform make the students feel uncomfortable”
(Padang, 26/04/08). Beside those cases, a state the postscript is that the parties should provide
protection for the freedom of religion and belief, in fact supported the existence of the Pakem
Team that is extra-judicial institution based on Decree of Attorney General Indonesian
Republic Number 004/JA/01/1994, dated on January 15, 1994, where the Pakem Team has
the rights to assess misguided or not misguided a religion and belief. Besides, to determine a
religion and/or belief is assess or not, that’s God’s domein not human’s domein.
Threats of the majority (Muslims) againts the minority (non-Muslims) in this country
thought not imitate how the Prophet Muhammad SAW threated non-muslim as his life.
Moreover, the Prophet Muhammad SAW said that, “Who would harm non-Muslim, entered
2
Based on Article 18 para.3 of International Covenant of Civil and Politic Rights.
3
Article 1 of UDHR, ‘All human being are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with
reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood’
4
Rights of Man France (1789), Bill of Rights USA (1791) dan International Bill of Rights (1966)
5
Human rights contained in the Medina Charter can be classified into three, namely the right to life, liberty, and
the right to find happiness. There are at least five basic meaning of the content on Human Rights in the
Constitution of Medina and Al-Quran, the first, placing the name of Allah at the top, second, social contract in
writing, the third plurality of participants, the fourth, open membership and fifth unity in diversity.
6
Rights that can not be deferred in this sense is that the state did not may suspend the right of freedom of
religion or belief.
7
Article 29 The Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia 1945, Article 3 paragraph (1) UU Regulation No. 39
of 1999 on Human Rights, Article 18 Regulation No.12 of 2005 on Ratification of ICCPR, The slogan of Unity
in Diversity

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the agreement or underestimated, burden him beyond the limits, taking something without his
willingness, then I’ll be his enemy in the day of Judgement”. (HR Abu Dawud dan al-
Baihaqi). They get full protection from, the state (foods, clothing, shelter, health insurance,
the necessities of life, education and security), they are allowed to have their own beliefs, is
not allowed to force in beliefs and worship,they are allowed to do their obligation and activity
according to their religion and beliefs8.
Incidents of defacement, sealing, burning mosques and churches; Declaration deviate
or not a religions or beliefs through the Mayor’s decision letter, Governor’s decision letter,
and Minister’s decision letter and etc; The prohibition carries out activities of some worship
religious and belief, it is an objective representation of the actual situation of the religious
diversity is currently in the lower level. (Read: High Intolerance).

Youth as the Reflection on Creation of the World Peace

A dream to create Indonesia’s Home build on wisdom,humility, and concern that
upholding the mandate of the suffering people that still in mirage. Actually, it would be a
mirage if one has a strong desire for change. Who will be the mastermind that create world
peace in the Home of Indonesia?
The answer is Young People.
Why it must be young people? Why should young people involved in the process of
custody and guardianship of freedom religion and beliefs issue?
Because the prophet of Allah said that, “ink of the scholar is more precious than the
blood of a martyr”. It meant, "an intellectual jihad better than physical jihad as holy war on
the battlefield"9. The prophet's words reflect how society and the state put more respect and
hope to young people who could enjoy college.
Cause young people is representation of wider group in every history moment. For
Indonesia, a young people had agreed and declared as one nation one country in the Youth
Pledge. They are a milestone in the history of Indonesia independence and social change.
Therefore, not involving them in determining the future of the nation is a big mistake. Young
people are the most current catalyst to convey to the general public about the diversity that
exists in Indonesia. Youth has a strategic position "center point" to be able to change the
mentality of society is narrow and aspires to fanatical thinking that freedom is a good, truth
8
For more details see "Treatment of Non-Muslims Against Islam" by MR Kurnia, accessed from sites
http://ekokhan.wordpress.com/2008/07/08/perlakuan-islam-terhadap-non-muslim/ on February 6, 2011
9
Sukidi.(2001). Inclusive Theology. Jakarta: KOMPAS, page.130

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and goodness, in which diversity is a fact of life that everyone must try to reach a mutual
understanding of each other.
Speaking of youth, I immediately opened an old agenda book in high school, at the
end of 2007, I cut out the article from Compass newspaper entitled, “Initiated Youth
Leadership”. In the article, there are some phrases that I think really reflects the spirit of
youth. The following quote,
Young people are part of the middle class, coming from the intellectual class with an
established knowledge. Young people are highly educated and enlightened society by
science. Young people are really critical and revolutionary thinking in action. Young
people have a high national nationalism.

After reading the article, I am trying to create a common thread categories of young
people who exist in that year (read: 2007) with young people today (read: 2011). I categorizes
youth into three types. The first type of young people who have strong discourse, ideas,
creative, critical, and it exist. The second type of young people who have strong discourse,
ideas, creative, critical, but it doesn’t exist (Men behind the scene). The third the type of
young people who have no ideas, not creative, not critical and do not want to exist. This is a
passive type of young people, usually parasites in any activity that surrounds young people.
Of the three types of young people, first and second type are the category of young people
who can be regarded as the renewal locomotive. Both are aware that the title of "University
Students" is something unusual. Moral responsibility of intellectuals, thus Bung Hatta called
it. People who are able to sit in the University are those who are prepared to be intellectually
and morally mature.
Instincts dialogue, discussion and action about solution tireless (way out) the
realization of religious harmony and believes in Indonesia have been conducted with young
people.10 This adds confidence that they are the realization of the front guard Indonesian
House of Peace and Sturdy, because conflicts often arise because of lack of communication
and open dialogue between religious and belief, consequently differences in perception lead
to conflict.

Three Magic Words

10
Paralegal Training for Freedom in Religions and Beliefs for Students (Cibogo, Bogor, 2010, 14-16 December)
Upgrading discourse for Freedom of Religions and Beliefs in LPM-Manifest (2011, January), Students Embrace
Interfaith (2011, 16 February)

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 Pattern of Youth Movements in Indonesia Houses Reflecting the Peace in Diversity

SECULAR TOLERANCE

PLURAL

In the context of seculer rather than atheis or not believe in God, but do not mixing
confuse the articulation of religion in the government. A country, especially Indonesia would
not be fully consider as seculer state, reminds that it wheels are driven by humans who
believe in the existence of God. Classical Islamic history tells us, if the religious articulation
are intitutionalize in the state policy, what happen next is the monopoly of truth on behalf of
state authority. Piet H. Khaidir, in his book, Reasons in Humanity, Reasons for Social
Change, stated:
There are some real detriment when we want the interpretation of religious text
institutionalized in the state policy. First, in religion there will be no other discourse in
term of religious interpretations.Consequently, a religion would become a mere
instrument of state. Second, religion would be politicil will. Religion would be
political legitimacy. Because the political logic is constituent, then religion would be
repressive and radical. Whereas religion comes to peace and justice. Third, the
expressions of diversity is no longer guaranteed independently as an expressions of
individuals in public, as public affairs. Religion only would be the only source and
cover for the interest of a group who have power.

And in religion, every person as an adherent of religion or belief have the right to
discourse their religion in public spaces.11 The definitions of tolerance is let, appreciate,
respect others in managing his rights. Tolerance said to be the main door to pluralism.12
Pluralism13 is a classic problem that up to date, nature. Pluralism can used as one container to
assert realize Houses Indonesia without discrimination.
11
The examples of public spaces is Open Dialogue, Open Tadarus which are provided in the public are or mass
media.
12
Too forward dominance fiber group alone claims that road safety has claimed only their own religion. This
form of stigma berimpllikasi 'existence only religion that has the right to live' whereas in Islam is emphasized
'Work in goodness and piety' .
13
According to Prof. Diana L. Eck, Professor of Comparative Religion ang Indian Studies and Director of the
Pluralism Project at Harvard University, there are three things about pluralism that can explain the meaning of
pluralism project. First, pluralism is not only diverse or plural, pluralism is more than plural or diverse with
active bond (red.) to the plurality earlier. Second, pluralism is not just tolerance, pluralism is more than tolerant
with an active effort to understand others, to create a climate of tolerance for restraint, but not to understand.
Third, pluralism is not simply relativism where pluralism is a linkage between religious and secular
commitments are real, pluralism is based on difference rather than equality, pluralism is a bond, not the release-
the difference and particularity.

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Campus as the Centre of Youth Movement
Where young people move again for the first time if it was not in the institution.
Campus, is the largest laboratory where young people want to learn and see directly the
diversity of life in Indonesia, because the ground (read: college) occurred dialectical
relationship between the normative, theoretical and empirical on diversity.
On campus can be found in humans with a variety of walks of life ranging from
religion, faith, home, economic conditions, etc. From here (read: college) young people to
reflect that difference is beautiful when supported by an active participation of tolerance.14
High sensitivity of thinking pattern in an ambient conditions (conditions of economies,
politics, policy, social) which never tired to form a party of young people who can feel what
he felt and traversed by the parties in the various fields of life. Young people with their
idealism are sensitive to those who have become victims of discrimination and injustice.
Youth pluralism awareness to achieve long-term goals for the people actually have
grown since ancient times. This awareness is encourage young people the existence of as
actors that concerned about the communion of humanity, regardless of ethnic origin, religion,
race, and class with the adage "We love freedom but more love peace". However, for the
humanist discoursing pluralist is not easy. Inhibiting factors pluralism occurs because the
materials and methods of education we are not provided for space growth spirit of pluralism.
As shown in everyday life and religious teaching in mosques, churches or in the space of
political education (college) though. Pluralist education is to foster awareness of space
education students in terms of understanding, appreciation, and recognition of the reality of
the world's empathic (ethnicity, religion, race, etc.) are diverse, heterogeneous and
multicultural. It should be instilled strong that the pluralism of race, ethnic, religions, beliefs,
is God’s will.

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Pluralism