Religious tension has been alarmingly high in Jakarta and around Indonesia lately, as hardline groups continue to promote hatred and radical views, drowning out those political and religious figures who are calling for peace and tolerance.
But yesterday, a voice calling for an end to religious-fueled hatred came from one of the most respected Islamic scholars in Indonesia, Nasaruddin Umar, the grand Imam of the Istiqlal Grand Mosque, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia and Indonesia’s national mosque.
Nasaruddin said he regrets how, in the heated climate of the Jakarta gubernatorial election, there has been a rise in religious intolerance, which is against the teaching of Islam.
“I sincerely believe that the more one understands their own religion, God willing, they’d be more moderate, more tolerant, cooperative and progressive thinking in regards to our nation,” Nasaruddin said, as quoted by Liputan 6.
Nasaruddin, who served as deputy minister of the Ministry of Religious Affairs from 2011-2014, is one of the leading figures advocating religious tolerance in Indonesia. He has taught around the world, including in Tokyo, London, and Washington DC, and founded the interfaith organization Masyarakat Dialog antar Umat Beragama (Society for Inter-Religious Dialogue) before being appointed the Grand Imam of Istiqlal last year.
His latest opinion echoes other tolerant views from large Islamic organizations in Indonesia like Nahdlatul Ulama (NU). For example, unlike hardline Islamic groups like the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) who are promoting their Quranic interpretation that Muslims are forbidden from choosing non-Muslim leaders, NU believes that interpretation to be taken out of context and that Muslims are allowed to elect non-Muslim officials.
