REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MAGELANG - Former first lady Sinta Nuriah Wahid reminded the new government on Saturday about the importance of preserving inter-religious harmony in the country.

"While intolerance must be driven away, inter-religious harmony must be safeguarded well and religious freedom, preserved," she said at the True Inter-Faith Brotherhood congress organized by the Semarang archdiocese.

When asked if a special directorate should be set up for the purpose, the wife of former Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid stated that it would not be necessary.

"The presence of the ministry of religious affairs is enough, as long as its officials carry out their duties well," she remarked.

Wahid also called for continued dialog among followers of different religions to maintain harmonious relations. Furthermore, she praised the congress' efforts to maintain inter-faith harmony.

"Activities like this (the assembly) are very important and should be engaged in by everyone, regardless of their religion or ethnic background," she reiterated, adding that everyone should promote a sense of religious unity in the country.

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