Jakarta, NU Online
Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin has called on all Indonesian people to resolve conflicts over houses of worship through legal mechanisms based on Pancasila instead of by taking anarchic acts.
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He asserted that Indonesia was a plural country and nation, which was based on law. Consequently, the building of every worship house must be based on existing laws and regulations. Any rejection against a plan to build a worship house must be conveyed in accordance with the law.

“I expect we all can act mature, adhere to the law and be wise in responding to different opinions about the existence of the worship houses,” the minister said as quoted by kompas.com in a press statement on Sunday.

Lukman regretted a church burning incident in Aceh Singkil regency on Tuesday. He urged local administrations, law enforcers, religious leaders and local figures to protect all society elements in the regency and give necessary support so that the existence of a worship house in the area could increase the quality of their religious life.

Lukman said that a worship house could function as a tool to increase religious understanding. He said the building of a worship house should be able to resolve social conflicts and disputes among society members.

“It’s important to understand that conflicts will bring no advantage. It would be better for us to use our energy to develop and achieve our mutual progress,” said Lukman. (masdar)