By : Joanna Alexandra Putri )*
The Worship Complex in the Archipelago’s IKN (National Capital City) was built on the basis of religious pluralism. This is very important to maintain harmony between people in IKN Nusantara.
IKN Nusantara, which was established in North Penajam Paser, is still under construction and is planned to be completed in mid-2024. There are various buildings and facilities being built at IKN. Among them are the presidential palace, local government buildings, schools, as well as religious complexes.
The Ministry of PUPR (Public Works and Public Housing) has held a design competition for the IKN worship complex on March 28 2022 and on June 20 2022 the top 3 winners were announced. They managed to beat 246 other participants from architectural firms throughout Indonesia.
The second winner of the IKN worship complex design competition was the Point Lines Field Architecture Firm. With the title “I Rukun”, the architectural design succeeded in capturing the hearts of the judges, one of whom was PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono.
Mei Mumpuni, the head of the Point Lines Architecture Firm, explained about the “I Rukun” design. According to him, religious pluralism in Indonesia is a blessing from God Almighty that we must be thankful for.
Mei added, through differences, people can give and receive each other, hone, love, care for one another, which is accompanied by a high spirit of brotherhood within the framework of Indonesia. His party created a worship complex design theme that supports religious harmony. In the context of religion, the relationship is not only with God Almighty, but also with fellow human beings (including those with other beliefs).
The worship complex makes it easier for IKN residents to worship because practicing religion is one of the rights of Indonesian citizens. The place is deliberately made in one location so they can have a higher sense of tolerance. Especially when in East Kalimantan the people consist of multi-religions.
It is hoped that by placing several places of worship in one complex it will establish harmony between people in Borneo, especially in IKN Nusantara. When people see people worshiping in their respective places, people with other beliefs will understand and understand that differences are beautiful. They know what day and time people with other faiths will worship and then happily welcome them.
One of the solutions in facing the challenges of religious life in Indonesia is to establish harmony. In Indonesia, the harmony index reaches 73.83% (based on data from the Ministry of Religion). With relatively high harmony, it becomes a challenge because you have to maintain and if possible increase the harmony index in the future.
Harmony between people is key because Indonesia is a pluralistic nation. What’s more, in the future at IKN Nusantara, the population will consist of immigrants and indigenous people who have different beliefs. By interacting around the worship complex, they are expected to always be in harmony and no conflicts occur due to differences in beliefs.
Peace and harmony in society need to be maintained consistently for all elements of society. Harmony between communities is the main element that can form national harmony, and this nation is a pluralistic nation. One way to maintain harmony is to create a worship complex at IKN Nusantara.
Tolerance must be taught by religious leaders because with tolerance human life can be more peaceful. If there is tolerance then there will be no divisions in society like when there are celebrations of other religions, and all parties are not against it.
Tolerance can arise if people associate with people who have other beliefs so that the environment is heterogeneous. It is hoped that with the existence of a worship complex where the locations of houses of worship are close together, even next to each other, the people will see and respect the differences that exist. They are tolerant and united because they realize that Indonesia was founded on differences, with a spirit of unity or Bhinneka Tunggal Ika.
Meanwhile, the government guarantees that the worship complex can be reached by public facilities. The easy reach was deliberately made by the architects of IKN Nusantara and it only took 10 minutes to go anywhere. The worship complex is located near Lake Pancasila so that the environment is even more beautiful.
Meanwhile, Diana Kusumastuti, Director General of Cipta Karya, stated that the worship complex consists of the Grand Mosque, the Great Temple, the Cathedral, the Main Church, the Big Temple, and the Big Vihara. The total area of this worship complex is more than 6 hectares.
It is hoped that with such a large building it will facilitate the people to worship solemnly and smoothly. Houses of worship also facilitate religious events so that IKN residents become obedient and tolerant towards others.
The IKN worship complex was built in a large and beautiful area. The design is deliberately made with the principle of harmony and the places of worship are close together. It is hoped that IKN residents will be more tolerant and united even though their beliefs are different.
)* The author is a contributor to Jeka Media Institute
