Interfaith youth join to strengthens the national spirit

Indonesian youth react to the Interfaith national seminar as the culmination of the twelfth anniversary of Haul Gus Dur on Friday, January 21, 2022, at the Catholic Church of Mother Mary of Perpetual Help in Batam.

The interfaith organizations consist of the Ansor Youth Movement,  Catholic Youth Organization, Indonesian Chinese Youth Front (BMTI), Indonesian Christian Youth Movement (GAMKI), and Indonesian Hindu Youth Association (Peradah),

In the words of Cosmas Eko Suharyanto, a secretary of Dialogue's organizing committee, the goal of this event was to remember Gus Dur as an Indonesian role model in both his thoughts and actions.

Suharyanto says that Gus Dur is a charismatic leader who makes the flavor of his archipelago better and that everyone, not just Muslims, likes him.

According to religious leaders in Indonesia, "Gus Dur enshrined all aspects of the country in the Indonesian state's constitution, which means that all of the country's young people have the right to participate in religious activities."

"Celebrating Faith, Humanity, and Nationality with Gus Dur and Father Mangun" is the theme of this national dialogue. Interfaith youths are carrying this theme with them in the national spirit.

Romo Mangun is an intellectual and public figure who has made significant contributions to Indonesia's humanitarian discourse.

As a Catholic priest, "he brings a multifaceted perspective to Indonesia, discussing religion and education, culture, politics, education, science, and technology," said Suharyanto.

Pandito Madya Suwarno, a Buddhist figure, Made Karmawan, a Hindu figure, Soedarmadi and Bambang Yulianto, both Muslims, Pastor Haposan Sianturi and Bishop Adrianus Sunarko, OFM, the Bishop of Pangkalpinang, were also speakers in this dialogue. This was a discussion between the late Gus Dur's daughter, Alissa Wahid.

Suharyanto added that the Haul Gus Dur event's highlight was also the collaboration of the Yos Sudarso Catholic High School choir in Batam with the Hadroh Syauqul Mustofa Pagar Nusa Batam Group.

According to Suharyanto, the peak event was also a place for poetry, art shows by Gus Dur and Romo Mangun, and poetry musicals by Batam artists.

Youth speak about lessons learned from the seminar

Suharyanto said that the Haul Gus Dur event was unique because it was the first time young people from different religious backgrounds organized and participated in one event.

These actions took place because the spirit of togetherness and nationality inspired them, which Gus Dur and Father Mangun lived by for the duration of their lives, explained Suharyanto.

He said that both national figures have the same passion and desire to keep the Indonesian nation's integrity for these young people from different religions.

"We also believe that Gus Dur and Father Mangun's beliefs and hardships serve as essential role models for today's younger generation," said Nimrod Siahaan, the event's chairman.

Takat Prasetyo, the leader of Ansor's youth movement, said that the two people were an inspiration to the Indonesian people.

"Gus Dur and Father Mangun were buddies who were pulled together by their shared view of humanity and nationalism."

The success of organizing the national event together has led them to agree that the subsequent Haul Gus Dur commemorations will be held by different religions, with committees representing their youth groups.

Suharyanto says that the rotating Haul Gus Dur memorial tries to reach out to everyone in society even more, building a sense of unity, respect for each other, and tolerance for religious differences just like Gus Dur did.

"A seminar like this one is essential because it can fight many things that can break people apart, like information spread on social media and a lack of knowledge about other religions," said Angkadjaya, the Indonesian Chinese Front.

Then, Yosi Seftiani, a member of the Islamic Student Movement, says that Islam's definition of friendship is based on mutual understanding and respect, not religion.

So, he thinks that Indonesia's young people will keep promoting interfaith friendship in the future, but they won't build walls or "divide" us all by "religious" things.

Azizah, a Nahdlatul Ulama Women's Student Association member, said that some people still have doubts.

"I was a little nervous about attending this event because we had been bullied for attending an event held by our Catholic coworkers. However, I ventured to participate because of the seniors' backing.

Marnala Simanjuntak, a member of the Catholic Youth of the Sagulung District, says that the seminar also has an economic benefit because people gave money to help pay for it.

Interfaith activities commemorating Gus Dur and Father Mangun's lives have inspired young people to become more nationalistic as they lived and spoke about them.

Indonesia is a country that has a lot of different religions. It officially recognizes six religions: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism.