Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin said he was concerned about rejection toward leaders from different different ethnics or religions as it reflected the society’s low commitment to honoring diversity in Indonesia.
“In a diverse society like Indonesia, democracy means acknowledging leadership from any group,” said Lukman on Tuesday.
He said leadership could come from all groups as stipulated in the 1945 Constitution, which clearly states that all citizens are entitled to economic, social, political and cultural rights without discrimination.
He took for an example the strong rejection against Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama and sub-district chief Susan, who were both Christians. “Muslims must gain more understanding on how the Prophet [Muhammad] regulated and led a diverse society,” said Lukman.
Former Muhammadiyah chairman Ahmad Syafii Maarif also deplored the rampant discrimination in the society. “There’s always strong rejection with religious justification against a non-Muslim who leads a region with Muslims as the majority and vice versa,” said Syafii.
He called on majority groups to refrain from making any prejudice against minority groups. He said Muslims in particular had to keep an open mind and should not be easily provoked by those seeking to damage the nation’s unity.
