By: Abdul Karim )*
Intolerance is an entry point for radicalism. The community needs to be wise and prioritize tolerance in various ways as the key to maintaining Indonesia’s diversity.
Radicalism seems to be something to watch out for, radical attitudes are not only destructive, but also a threat to the unity that has been formulated by the nation’s predecessors. But how can radicalism grow in Indonesia, and even spread massively.
Apparently, the entrance of radicalism is intolerance. Intolerance is called the forerunner of radicalism. So we need a religious understanding that is full of tolerance to be able to avoid this. We also have to be able to understand that loving the religion we embrace does not have to mean hating other people’s religions. Everyone must be religious on the basis of love. Thus, it does not cause hatred in responding to other religions.
Moreover, Islam also prohibits intolerance. Because, it does not reflect the love taught by the Prophet Muhammad SAW. In religion it should not make people nervous about the beliefs of other parties. Because all religions actually have a noble concept on the basis of humanity and peace.
People in Indonesia, of course, need to be invited to return religious life to its original concept, namely humanity and peace. These two principles must be carried out in their entirety so that the function of religion does not deviate.
Intolerant people think that it is easier for people, especially the younger generation, to be brainwashed with the aim of denying their human identity and hindering their self-expression as young Indonesians who love peace, love tolerance and respect diversity and a pluralistic Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin once regretted the practice of intolerance that had reached an attitude of not wanting to be friendly, sitting next to each other or conducting business activities with groups or individuals of different religions or beliefs. He is also worried that if this intolerance is allowed it will be dangerous and damage the integrity of the Indonesian nation.
Until now, intolerance still occurs in Indonesia, even cases of intolerance are carried out by unscrupulous teachers, one of which occurred in a public school in East Jakarta some time ago.
At that time, one of the teachers ordered their students who are members of the Islamic Spiritual Organization (Rohis) afar to choose a religious leader candidate through WhatsApp Group. In the message was written an order from an individual teacher to choose a candidate for the OSIS chairman who was of the same faith. Of course, this is unfortunate, considering that public schools must be able to become examples of schools that embrace all students regardless of their religion.
Students themselves are agents of the nation’s successor, so it is important to instill the values of democracy and tolerance. It doesn’t hurt just because they have different beliefs, because those who are different have been united with the spirit of diversity.
If this is allowed, it is not impossible that the attitude of radicalism will become the seeds for students who will later replace the position of policy makers.
We also often hear that radical groups have infiltrated student activities, moreover students are agents of change whose thoughts are indispensable for the progress of the nation.
Radicalism can grow, one of which is because of the lack of scientific interpretations in its context. This understanding can be improved, among others, by understanding the correct study of the Arabic language.
Don’t let any content that comes from the Arabic language and then we think of it as a religious language. This of course must be addressed because the correct understanding of Arabic studies can be used to counteract radicalism.
Muslim scholar Alwi Shihab said that domestic radical groups prefer scholars from the Middle East or the Arabian peninsula to serve as role models. They underestimate the original Indonesian ulema. Alwi’s assumption is because he thinks that the counseling or lectures from Indonesian clerics are less attractive to radical groups.
He said that radical Islamic figures in Indonesia often provoke the public. For example, by saying that Pancasila is an ideology that is contrary to Islamic teachings. Even though it is clear that Pancasila is a national ideology that cannot be contested.
The omission of intolerance can be a ticking time bomb that cannot be predicted when it will explode into an attitude of radicalism. The government and society must collaborate to always maintain a tolerant attitude towards diversity in order to maintain the unity of Indonesia.
)* The author is a contributor to Pertiwi Institute
