Incident of Intolerance in Gresik Resolved with Mediation

An act of intolerance was carried out by a married couple and a young man towards the congregation of the West Indonesian Protestant Church (GPIB) in Benowo, Surabaya, who were conducting a service at one of the congregants' homes at RT 03 RW 11 in Cerme Indah Housing on Wednesday (8/5/2024) after 7 PM.

In the incident, the perpetrators demanded the cessation of the worship held to commemorate the Ascension of Jesus Christ. Video footage of the incident then went viral on social media.

Also read: Pseudo-tolerance in Worship

According to the Head of Cerme Sector Police Inspector One Andik Asworo, the leadership communication forum of the district has held a meeting regarding the issue at the Betiting Village Hall on Thursday (9/5/2024) night. The meeting also involved representatives of the congregation and residents who protested against the religious activities.

"The problem has been resolved peacefully, with mutual forgiveness and respect," said Andik.

In order to maintain a conducive situation, officers will conduct patrols in the surrounding areas. The officers also ensure that religious activities of the community can be carried out well.

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The Director of Lingkar Indonesia for Justice, Aan Anshori, regrets the intolerant incident. He also believes that mediation is not enough to prevent similar incidents of intolerance from happening again in the future.

"The solution through mediation is more like a fire extinguisher which I feel has not yet reached the prevention stage," said Aan, who is also the Coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Islamic Network.

Therefore, Aan encourages more basic actions to prevent intolerance. This action can, among other things, be carried out through three efforts, namely instilling value, transferring knowledge, and encountering others.

According to Aan, instilling values is an effort to instill the values ​​of tolerance and respect for diversity in religious communities.

Also read: Religious Literacy is Low, Intolerance Strengthens

Transferring knowledge, said Aan, is an effort to share knowledge so that religious people have knowledge regarding followers of other religions. This is important to avoid misunderstandings that could lead to intolerance.

Meanwhile, encountering others is the mingling of religious communities in various activities. Aan hopes that activities with religious nuances can be attended by people from all religions, thereby increasing understanding and respect. This can be encouraged by government officials from lower to upper levels.

"For example, if the worship of the GPIB congregation in Cerme Indah is guaranteed by the presence of neighborhood officials, village or sub-district officials as well as military and police officers, it will prevent potential persecution and improve the understanding of the authorities towards the activities of other religious communities," said Aan.

Aan reminded that if state officials allow an activity that shows the expression of one religion, it should also apply to other religions.

Settlement through mediation is more like a fire extinguisher.

Therefore, if religious activities in the homes of Muslim residents are not prohibited, the activities of residents of other religions in their homes should also not be prohibited or questioned.

"According to me, this is the essence of equality. Every citizen of all religions and beliefs is free to express their beliefs as long as they do not disturb public order," said Aan, who is a diversity lecturer at Ciputra University, Surabaya.