Jakarta – As the holy month of Ramadan begins, various elements of society are strengthening their collective commitment to reject all forms of radicalism and intolerance that could disrupt social harmony. Ramadan is expected to serve as a momentum to reinforce brotherhood, strengthen solidarity, and reaffirm national values amid Indonesia’s diversity.
Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar called on the public to maintain harmony and enhance social solidarity throughout Ramadan. He reminded Muslims of the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was known as the most generous person, especially during the holy month.
“Let this month be a momentum to strengthen social solidarity. Ensure that the blessings of Ramadan are felt by every layer of society. Let differences be a blessing, not a barrier. Do not let differences in calculations erode the closeness of our hearts. It is within these differences that the quality of our tolerance is tested and elevated,” Nasaruddin conveyed.
In a similar vein, Head of the Badan Pembinaan Ideologi Pancasila (BPIP), Yudian Wahyudi, urged the public to safeguard harmony amid the challenges of the digital era during Ramadan 1447 Hijri. He stressed the importance of vigilance against hoaxes, hate speech, and radical ideologies that often spread through social media platforms.
“To the public during this holy month of Ramadan, we must maintain tolerance and unity amid today’s digital challenges. We realize that this era makes many things easier, but on the other hand, digital spaces have also become fertile ground for hoaxes, hate speech, and radicalism that can damage unity. Let us uphold tolerance and mutual respect, because all religions teach us to respect one another and preserve unity,” he stated.
Chairman of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Marwan Dasopang, also encouraged Muslims across Indonesia to observe Ramadan 1447 Hijri with devotion and a spirit of mutual respect.
“We call on Indonesian Muslims to perform their worship with sincerity, to increase good deeds, and to maintain an attitude of tolerance during the holy month of Ramadan. Those who are not fasting should respect Muslims who are observing the fast, and vice versa, in order to preserve harmony in social life,” Marwan said.
These appeals underscore that safeguarding tolerance and remaining vigilant against radicalism are not solely the responsibility of the government, but of all elements of society. With a shared spirit of unity, Ramadan is expected to become a month that not only strengthens faith, but also reinforces national unity and peace. (*)