By Iqbal Fadillah *)
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, Indonesia is the largest archipelagic country in the world consisting of 17,508 islands and 1,128 ethnic groups, with diverse cultural and social cultures. The various tribes, cultures, religions, races and codes of society behave in socializing coloring tolerant life in Indonesia. Even in the era of the struggle for independence until finally Indonesia can achieve independence independently, due to the spirit of tolerance of freedom fighters by removing the egoistic ethnic, race, and religion, which raises the spirit of unity and unity of all Indonesian people to expel the invaders from the Earth. The spirit of tolerance wrapped with a sense of nationalism and the love of the homeland up to this time still upholds in filling Indonesian independence.
Indonesia as a country that highly respects the values of tolerance has also been recognized world, Indonesia has been a host of United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) held in Nusa Dua Bali around August 2014. The election of Indonesia as a host can be interpreted as A form of international achievement and appreciation that Indonesia can be a role model of how a country is harmonious across ethnic, religious, racial and cultural diversity. The recognition was given by a very famous Indian Muslim. Zakir Naik admire in Indonesia is very tolerant to other religions. According to him, Indonesia is the country with the largest Muslim population in the world. But in fact, the largest Muslim population does not make the Indonesia an Islamic State. This is a privilege of Indonesia as a multicultural country, applying every religion equally before the State and religion can not be allowed to be a source of discrimination.
In addition, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mohsen Araki, sees Indonesia as a peaceful and tolerant country that can serve as an example for other Islamic countries. According to him, Indonesia is one of the countries that exemplifies the coexistence and life of peace and brotherhood, and Indonesia has always been a good example and symbol for Islamic countries. Ayatollah also hopes that the tolerance and peace that has been created in Indonesia can be maintained.
Former Imam of the Islamic Center in New York, United States, Muhammad Shamsi Ali also gave views on tolerance among religious communities in Indonesia. Shamsi said tolerance life in Indonesia was built quite well and boasts. This condition is created because religious life is part of the history of Indonesian society. Shamsi did not dismiss discrimination cases between majority and minority groups on the basis of religious sentiments. According to him, this should be anticipated so as not to cause a split.
Indonesia's ability to live the values of tolerance and democratic values is increasingly recognized by the world. Indonesia is expected to play a key role in spreading tolerance to curb the growing extremism and terrorism in the world. Indonesia was also asked to play a more active role in sharing its experience of developing values of tolerance in a democratic country.
Tolerance based on word study comes from the Latin "tolerantia" which means looseness, tenderness, lightness and patience. Etymologically the term "tolerantia" is best known in the plains of Europe, especially in the French Revolution. In English "tolerance" means the attitude of allowing, acknowledging and respecting the beliefs of others without the need for consent. In Arabic this term refers to the word "tasamuh" ie mutual permitting or mutually facilitating. Whereas in Indonesia, explains tolerance in terms of like to anyone, let people opinion or other opinion, do not want to interfere with the freedom of thinking and belief of others.
Whereas in the view of experts, tolerance has diverse understanding. Micheal Wazler (1997) views tolerance as a necessity in individual space and public space because one of the goals of tolerance is to build a peaceful coexistence between different groups of society from different historical, cultural and identity backgrounds. In other words this attitude is not only to acknowledge the existence and rights of others, even more than that, to be involved in the effort to know and understand the existence of plurality.
Thus tolerance in this context means an awareness of coexistence and cooperation between different faiths. Because the nature of tolerance to other religions is a major prerequisite for every individual who wants a peaceful and peaceful life, so that will be realized interaction and good understanding among religious communities.
With tolerance, we can appreciate and respect the activities of the surrounding community, especially the life of interfaith people. In addition, we still have to tighten the rope of silaturrahmi both among fellow believers, as well as different religions. By living the meaning of tolerance above, then the life of society in the different tribes, religions and races can be achieved with the best. Even tolerance provides widespread impacts and benefits for people of particular faith and society in Indonesia.
Religion in Indonesia plays an important role in people's lives. This is stated in the ideology of the Indonesian nation, Pancasila: "Belief in the One Supreme". A number of religions in Indonesia have a collective influence on politics, economics and culture. The 1945 Constitution states that "every citizen is given the freedom to choose and practice his belief" and "to guarantee all freedom to worship, according to his religion or belief".
The government however, only officially recognizes six religions, namely Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism. But when it comes to religious tolerance it actually relates to the existence of human belief in the God Almighty. According to Islamic teachings, tolerance is not only against fellow human beings, but also to the universe, animals, and the environment. With such a broad sense of tolerance, the tolerance of inter-religious people in Islam gains important and serious attention.
Mutual respect in faith and belief is a very comprehensive concept of Islam. However, religious tolerance according to Islam is not to merge with each other in belief. Nor is it to exchange confidence among the different religious groups. Tolerance here is in the sense of mu'amalah (social interaction). Thus, there are common boundaries that may and should not be violated. This is the essence of tolerance in which each side controls itself and provides a space for mutual respect for its own uniqueness without feeling threatened by its beliefs or rights.
Nevertheless, the recognition of Indonesia's ability to live the values of tolerance as well as the values of democracy in the eyes of the world must always maintain unity and diversity based on the concept of civil society, by guarding democracy and upholding the rule of law. Because, democracy without law enforcement will be wild. Conversely, the law if not made democratically will be elitist and unilateral. That's civil society. The Civil Society is a self-governing society. Therefore, as Indonesian Citizens, we should continue to uphold the mutual tolerance of inter-religious, inter-ethnic, inter-racial, and inter-group and mutual respect between the rights and obligations that exist between us for the integrity of the State and the tranquility of life in the community.
*) Social and Political Observer
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