By Matters India Reporter
Palembang: The future of Indonesia lies in the unity among its 714 tribes speaking different languages, says the country’s President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).
The head of the world’s largest archipelago country made the plea on January 22 while opening the 30th Catholic Students Congress held at Palembang, Sumatra.
Jokowi reminded the Catholic students as they are part of the country’s multi-cultural heritage and that they should strive to foster peace and harmony among all communities.
Ferinsky Kusumawardanti, a participant, said the president enlightened them on the present and sensitive issues facing Indonesia. “The President spoke about tolerance in the midst of diversity and pluralism, which I think it, is very relevant for us in Indonesia,” Kusumawardanti told Fides news agency.
As the issue of tolerance in Indonesia is rising in relation to the Jakarta Governor election last year, before the Congress, the President repeated the message How to live in a complex society.
“If there is a conflict among you because of religions or tribes, please quickly settle it down. Make peace with your fellow human beings and live in harmony,” the president stressed.
In his speech, Jokowi also presented the development of his governance by telling the congress how “unnoticed” places along the border of other countries are making fast progress. He also urged the Catholic students to participate actively in the coming local election by ensuring clean election.
“We must support each other regardless of our religions, tribes and beliefs. Let us not forget that we are brothers and sisters,” said Jokowi. He marked his speech by highlighting the importance of Pancasila (five principles), the Indonesian five pillars of state ideology.
More than 1,500 students’ delegates from different schools, colleges and universities, both Catholic and non-Catholic attended the congress along with priests, nuns, and others.
Besides the president, the Governor of South Sumatra, as well as other ministers from different departments and police general of Indonesia attended the congress.
Most participants came from Musi Charitas Catholic University, Sriwijaya University, St. Xavier Senior High Schools and some other Catholic schools in Palembang.
The congress is scheduled to end on January 27. One of the purposes of the congress is to cultivate tolerance among students, especially the Catholics, in the pluralism of Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world.
“I am truly grateful for this special occasion in which our president pays attention to us, the Catholic students. I feel that we are a minority indeed counted as a precious citizen in the country and our active contributions are also expected and appreciated,” Kusumawardanti said.
Indonesia has 243 million people and 87 percent are Muslim. Christians represent about 10 percent and Hindus 1.7 percent.