Attending the Commemoration of the Great Prophet Kongzi 2573rd Day of Birth, Vice President Reminds Caring for Harmony and Brotherhood is a Joint Responsibility

Pontianak, wapresri.go.id – Indonesia has been tested in going through various difficulties. Democracy and freedom of religion can now be enjoyed because they have gone through a tortuous process in the past. However, potential conflicts can occur, if the community is careless. For this reason, maintaining harmony and brotherhood is a shared task.

“So I never get tired of reminding that the task of maintaining harmony and brotherhood is our collective duty. We must not be ignorant about potential conflicts that will surely only bring losses and setbacks,” said Vice President KH Ma’ruf Amin when attending the Commemoration of the Great Prophet Kongzi’s 2573rd Day of Birth, at the Pontianak Convention Center, Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Thursday (22/09/2022).

The Vice President understood that Indonesia was a diverse country. Even though this country was not the only plural country in the world, the Indonesian people view diversity as a gift from God that brought a lot of goodness.

The Vice President further revealed, the Index of Religious Harmony in Indonesia in 2021 recorded a high score with three indicators, namely tolerance, cooperation, and harmony.

“Our nation’s success in managing diversity so that it becomes a solid foundation for tolerance, cooperation, and community harmony, has received appreciation and recognition from other countries,” he said.

In the event entitled “With the Holy Scriptures Building and Fostering Brotherhood”, which was organized by the Indonesian Confucian High Council (Matakin), the Vice President appealed, in addition to maintaining religious harmony, all religious-based community organizations could assist the government’s work to promote and improve Indonesian human resources in all fields, so that Indonesia could recover faster and rise stronger.

“I hope that all religious believers contribute and participate in the country’s development process. Religious organizations can be a driving force for the community’s economy, especially MSMEs,” he appealed.

In this case, according to the Vice President, the role of ulama and religious leaders is very important. In addition to being able to build people with noble character according to the teachings of their respective holy books, religious leaders were expected to be able to generate optimism and motivate people to stay productive and have a fighting spirit.

“Appeals from religious leaders through an inspiring and cool approach will certainly get the attention of the people,” he said.

Closing his remarks, the Vice President congratulated the 2573rd Day of Birth of the Great Prophet Kongzi.

“I hope that MATAKIN will be more advanced and stronger in protecting the Confucians while continuing to build and foster a solid brotherhood amid Indonesia’s pluralism,” the Vice President said.

Previously, the Governor of West Kalimantan, Sutarmidji, said that in line with the theme of fostering brotherhood, West Kalimantan had practiced this, namely by giving Confucians the freedom to celebrate religious holidays.

“In fact, Pontianak was the first city that gave the freedom to register religious status on the ID card when 1998. So the first time to realize [day off for Confucians was in] Pontianak, West Kalimantan,” he said.

Meanwhile, the General Chairperson of MATAKIN Budi Tanuwibowo reminded us that the birthday of the Prophet Kongzi was not only to commemorate, but his advice needed to be lived and implemented.

“One of the advice is that the theme of this event is to use the holy book to foster friendship and brotherhood, not to compete or feel like you are the best,” he said.

Meanwhile, Committee Chair Yo Nguan Cua appreciated the presence of the Vice President at the event.

“This is a testament to the government’s great concern for Confucians in particular, and the people of West Kalimantan in general. May we all live in brotherhood, according to the message of the event’s theme,” he said.

Present at the event were Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, FORKOPIMDA of West Kalimantan Province, Regents/Mayors throughout West Kalimantan, Chairman of MATAKIN and his staff, as well as Confucians throughout Indonesia.

Meanwhile, the Vice President was accompanied by the Head of the Secretariat of the Vice President Ahmad Erani Yustika, Deputy for Human Development Policy Support and Equality Development Suprayoga Hadi, Special Staff for the Vice President for Communication and Information Masduki Baidlowi, Special Staff for the Vice President for General Affairs Masykuri Abdillah, Special Staff for the Vice President for Political and Institutional Relations Robikin Emhas, and Expert Team of Vice President Johan Tedja Surya (DMA/LHS-BPMI, Setwapres)