Singapore, wapresri.go.id – Inter-religious harmony is the main pillar in the life of the nation, especially for Indonesian citizens with all their diversity. It is noted that there are a few attempts to divide the integrity of the Indonesian nation. For this reason, efforts are needed to maintain the harmony of the Indonesian nation through national dialogue.

“We maintain harmony, we continue to build national dialogues, so Insya Allah we will always be safe,” said Vice President (VP) K. H. Ma’ruf Amin during a dialogue with representatives of the Indonesian diaspora at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) at 7 Chatsworth Road, Singapore, Tuesday (18/10/2022).

According to the VP, the existence of a state basis of Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution as a national agreement became a strong foundation in caring for diversity.

“We have a foundation that I call a national agreement, namely Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution and the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia,” explained the VP.

Furthermore, the VP conveyed that the national agreement must be maintained by the community, which is the implementation of the realization of a complete Muslim community.

“Muslims must be kaffah (wholeness) Muslims, but must be able to hold onto the agreement,” urged the VP.

“This is what we are developing. If this is understood, there is no intolerance,” he added.

In addition, the VP said that the existence of religious forums helped encourage inter-religious harmony, as well as being an intermediary in formulating solutions to various community problems.

“We also build the institutions, there is a Ministry of Religion, there are more religious assemblies, Islam has MUI (Indonesian Ulema Council), Christianity has KWI (Indonesian Bishops’ Conference), there is PGI (Indonesian Church Association), there is Buddhism is there, there is Hinduism, there is a Religious Harmony Forum. We continue to develop national dialogues,” said the VP.

Closing his dialogue, the VP said that intolerance is caused by the lusts of humans as living beings that are not controlled, causing excessive emotions that create intolerance.

“So, actually intolerance is not allowed, not teaching. It’s actually emotional, lust that dominates us,” concluded the VP.

Also accompanying the VP on the occasion were the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Retno L. Marsudi and the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Singapore Suryo Pratomo. (NN/LHS – BPMI Setwapres)