By: Mirdad Noor *)
Efforts to prevent radicalism are becoming increasingly important, ahead of the arrival of Pope Francis to Indonesia. We all know that Pope Francis, as an important symbol for Catholics throughout the world, carries a deep message of peace, brotherhood and tolerance. However, it cannot be denied that radical groups may see this moment as an opportunity to carry out their actions, which could threaten stability and harmony between religious communities in Indonesia.
The government and security forces have increased vigilance and taken various preventive steps to ensure the Pope’s visit runs safely and smoothly. The approach used is not only repressive, but also preventive, involving various parties, including religious leaders, community organizations and youth.
One of the important steps taken is to strengthen dialogue between religious communities. Through this dialogue, it is hoped that deeper understanding can be built between religious communities, reduce the potential for conflict, and suppress the spread of radical ideology. Apart from that, the role of mass media is also very vital in providing information that is balanced and not provocative, so that it does not trigger negative sentiment in society.
On the other hand, the government also needs to close loopholes that can be exploited by radical groups through strict monitoring of online activities. Social media and digital platforms are often a means of spreading radical ideas, so monitoring and taking firm action against content that contains elements of radicalism is very necessary.
The presence of Pope Francis in Indonesia on 3-6 September 2024 as the highest leader of the Catholic Church in the world is an important moment for Indonesia to show the harmony between religious believers which has been well maintained. Therefore, the National Police will hold a Centralized Operation ‘Tribrata Jaya 2024’ as an anticipatory step to welcome the arrival of Pope Francis. This operation is planned to last for six days, from 2 to 7 September 2024.
Karo Penmas, Police Public Relations Division, Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko stated that Operation Tribrata Jaya 2024 will be carried out for six days to ensure security during the Pope’s visit to Indonesia. A total of 4,520 personnel will be deployed in this operation, consisting of 1,077 personnel from National Police Headquarters and 3,443 personnel from Polda Metro Jaya. The National Police is committed to ensuring that the entire series of Pope Francis’ activities in Indonesia run safely and conducively.
For information, Pope Francis is expected to arrive in Indonesia on September 3 2024 at 11.30 WIB. On September 4 2024, the Pope will meet with President Joko Widodo at the State Palace at 10.00 WIB. On September 5 2024, the Pope is scheduled to attend an inter-religious meeting at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta and meet with beneficiaries of charitable organizations at the offices of the Indonesian Catholic Bishops’ Conference (KWI). On the same day, the Pope will also hold a grand mass at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta at 17.00 WIB, which is expected to be attended by tens of thousands of Catholics.
High Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque, KH. Nasarudin Umar explained that the arrival of Pope Francis was an important moment for the Indonesian nation. The government has also entrusted the Istiqlal Mosque to host interfaith dialogue, which has long been planned as part of Pope Francis’ state visit.
KH. Nasarudin emphasized that the Istiqlal Mosque, as the State Mosque of Indonesia, has collaborated with various international institutions and is currently the center of world attention. The Istiqlal Mosque is considered successful in presenting Islam as a religion that brings mercy to all of nature. Therefore, all parties, especially Muslims in Indonesia, must continue to spread friendly and peaceful Islamic values, by prioritizing human values as taught in the Koran.
Some time ago, precisely at the G20 Religion Forum, or Religion 20 (R20), which took place in Nusa Dua, Bali in 2022, the Ambassador of the Holy See of the Vatican to Indonesia, Piero Pioppo, conveyed a message from Pope Francis, namely inviting religious leaders in throughout the world to work together to find solutions to extremism and various forms of hostility that occur in the world.
Pope Francis highlighted the condition of the world which is increasingly characterized by neglect of God and acts of violence committed in His name. Pope Francis emphasized that extremism, radicalism, terrorism and all forms of hatred, hostility and violence have nothing to do with the true essence of religion. No religion teaches these goals, and therefore, all these deviant actions must be firmly rejected.
In his message, Pope Francis also called on religious leaders to invite their followers to take joint responsibility in creating peace, as well as encouraging dialogue and reconciliation. Religion must not be the cause of the world crisis, but must act as a solution to various global problems. The problem of radicalism is not the responsibility of just one religion, but all religions have an important role in preventing radicalism.
It is hoped that Pope Francis’ arrival will bring a message of peace and strengthen relations between religious communities in Indonesia, as well as confirm Indonesia’s commitment as a country that upholds the values of tolerance and diversity. Thus, joint efforts to counter radicalism are important in making this historic visit a success.
*) Diversity Literacy Activist