Despite being founded on principles of interfaith harmony and tolerance, many people would say that religious intolerance is on the rise in Indonesia. From the persecution of minority sects to the hardline enforcement of Ramadan rules, there is a lot of hate preventing people from practicing their faiths in peace.
But a lot of religious intolerance in Indonesia can be blamed on a lack of knowledge and contact between people of different religions. Sabang Merauke aims to combat that. Ayu Kartika, co-founder of the organization, describes it as a student exchange program that bring kids from all over Indonesia “to stay with host families in Jakarta who are different from them: a Hindu child from Bali living with a Muslim family; a Christian boy from Kalimantan living with a Muslim Javanese family; a Muslim child from Maluku living with a Chinese Catholic family” etc. The program prioritizes kids from post-conflict areas.
“We believe that these real interactions will open the hearts and minds of both students and hosts, and make them see that we are more alike than different. In turn, they will become peace ambassadors in their circles.”
“From my travels and having experienced being a minority, I believe that diversity cannot only be taught in classrooms – it has to be felt and experienced.”
The video above shows what happens when the program brings a Muslim girl to stay with a Christian family in Jakarta. What happens next is uplifting proof of the power of people to overcome their differences, and why programs like Sabang Merauke are so incredibly important.
The film was produced for Our Better World a digital storytelling initiative of the Singapore International Foundation (SIF), which brings world communities together to do good.
If you are interested in helping Sabang Merauke, either by volunteering to be a host or donating, be sure to visit their website.
