As President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono stressed on Friday that the nation must protect its unity through the recognition of diversity, a West Java mayor tried to settle the religious conflict in his city.
Bekasi Mayor Mohammad Mokhtar, under the direction of West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan, on Friday held separate meetings with Muslim groups and representatives of the Protestant Christian Batak Church (HKBP) in Pondok Timur, in an attempt at a solution to a conflict that view of the church building completed and members beaten when she tried to pray outside.
"During Ramadan, we want both sides to cool off," said Mokhtar. "I hope everyone can stay calm and peace."
Yudhoyono this week ordered local and regional leaders to work for such conflicts to occur in their jurisdiction.
Speaking with veterans at the State Palace on Friday, Yudhoyono emphasized that the nation should continue in 1945 Constitution that the freedom of religion guarantees: the state ideology Pancasila that equal footing for the state-recognized religions has to maintain the state motto "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika "which means unity in diversity and the principle of the unitary republic.
"We have the mission to defend and promote four fundamental principles," Yudhoyono said, according to Antara News.
Mochtar first meeting with Islamic groups like the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), after the Islamic People's Forum (FUI) and the Islamic Council proselytism (DDI) in Bekasi Grand Mosque after Friday prayers, and church representatives hosted in his office.
Budi Santoso Bekasi FPI member said after the meeting that the municipality was not HKBP religious activities to keep the church in Pondok Indah Timur until they have obtained all necessary permits government.
"They have no license. They should do what the law requires," he said, referring to the government requirement of a permit for houses of worship.
In recent weeks, the FPI and other hardline organizations harassing members of the HKBP, highlighted by striking members of the church as they tried to hold a Sunday service at an empty field in Ciketing, Bekasi, last week.
The municipal authorities had sealed the church on the grounds that it did not have a license. HKBP leaders say they submitted an application in 2008, but have received no reply.
Mochtar offered the community the use of a vacant building in the city for its religious activities to obtain the permit.
But Panggabean Sahara, one of the lawyers of the Religious Freedom Defenders Team, which represents the town, said the HKBP hit the offer.
"We are Indonesians who our rights protected by the Constitution and we want to keep our religious activities," he said, adding that the town much rather have a church to use in Pondok Indah Timur.
Mochtar said the municipality to fast again for a permit for their church, "so I can coordinate with the local department and the urban environment units. They will be informed that on Sunday the congregation will hold its services there."
Meanwhile, the municipality said that the intention to hold a service on Sunday in Bekasi and also at the National Monument square in front of the presidential palace in Jakarta.
HKBP other municipalities face similar challenges have promised to attend the event Monas.
"During Ramadan, we want both sides to cool off," said Mokhtar. "I hope everyone can stay calm and peace."
Yudhoyono this week ordered local and regional leaders to work for such conflicts to occur in their jurisdiction.
Speaking with veterans at the State Palace on Friday, Yudhoyono emphasized that the nation should continue in 1945 Constitution that the freedom of religion guarantees: the state ideology Pancasila that equal footing for the state-recognized religions has to maintain the state motto "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika "which means unity in diversity and the principle of the unitary republic.
"We have the mission to defend and promote four fundamental principles," Yudhoyono said, according to Antara News.
Mochtar first meeting with Islamic groups like the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), after the Islamic People's Forum (FUI) and the Islamic Council proselytism (DDI) in Bekasi Grand Mosque after Friday prayers, and church representatives hosted in his office.
Budi Santoso Bekasi FPI member said after the meeting that the municipality was not HKBP religious activities to keep the church in Pondok Indah Timur until they have obtained all necessary permits government.
"They have no license. They should do what the law requires," he said, referring to the government requirement of a permit for houses of worship.
In recent weeks, the FPI and other hardline organizations harassing members of the HKBP, highlighted by striking members of the church as they tried to hold a Sunday service at an empty field in Ciketing, Bekasi, last week.
The municipal authorities had sealed the church on the grounds that it did not have a license. HKBP leaders say they submitted an application in 2008, but have received no reply.
Mochtar offered the community the use of a vacant building in the city for its religious activities to obtain the permit.
But Panggabean Sahara, one of the lawyers of the Religious Freedom Defenders Team, which represents the town, said the HKBP hit the offer.
"We are Indonesians who our rights protected by the Constitution and we want to keep our religious activities," he said, adding that the town much rather have a church to use in Pondok Indah Timur.
Mochtar said the municipality to fast again for a permit for their church, "so I can coordinate with the local department and the urban environment units. They will be informed that on Sunday the congregation will hold its services there."
Meanwhile, the municipality said that the intention to hold a service on Sunday in Bekasi and also at the National Monument square in front of the presidential palace in Jakarta.
HKBP other municipalities face similar challenges have promised to attend the event Monas.
