Christmas 2019 Proves Papua Has the Highest Level of Religious Harmony in Indonesia

Christmas 2019 Proves Papua Has the Highest Level of Religious Harmony in Indonesia

Indonesia has 35 provinces and around 1340 tribes, and Jakarta is a Multicultural Capital because there are various ethnic groups living there. It turns out that regions in Indonesia which have the highest level of religious harmony are not in Jakarta. A recent study shows that West Papua and Papua have a higher level of religious harmony than the capital city of Jakarta, even the highest in Indonesia.
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This was proven during the Christmas celebration on December 25, 2019. Interfaith Volunteers in Mimika Regency, Papua Province were involved in helping to secure the implementation of Christmas Eve worship in several churches in Timika City, Tuesday (12/24).
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As in the Three Kings Cathedral Church, Timika, interfaith volunteers ranging from Hindu Buddhism to Islam help with security ranging from traffic flow to helping congregants who want to cross to the entrance of the church.
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The same thing was done by interfaith volunteers in the GPI Torsina Church and GKI Marthen Luther Church. Volunteers ranging from Baznas, Scouts, KNPI to other community members help members of the police regulate traffic lanes.
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In Manokwari, religious harmony and tolerance can also be seen. Islamic Student Association (HMI) cadre helped secure the implementation of the Christmas Eve Mass Service in Manokwari. These activities they routinely do almost every year.
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"Almost every year, HMI is always involved (maintaining church security). That is none other than, to foster fraternity, harmony, and harmony between religious believers who have been built up so far, "said Acting Chair of HMI Manokwari Ridwan Kelkusa, Tuesday night (12/24/2019).
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Christmas Eve Mass services take place in the City of Manokwari wisdom. HMI cadres who joined the police were seen guarding a number of churches in the Wosi, Sanggeng and Padarni Villages.
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Jayapura does not want to be left behind, the atmosphere of the Christmas celebration feels harmonious, mutual care, and mutual respect between Muslims and non-Muslims occurs in Jayapura, Papua. The cool atmosphere in the life of religious people, without tension, especially hostility is presented during the celebration of the Christmas Mass night, Tuesday (12/24).
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This is evidenced by the decline in 85 members of the Banser in guarding a number of churches in the city of Jayapura. They work together with the police and the army. "For every Christmas we regularly participate in providing security in all churches," said Chairman of the Ansor Youth Movement (GP) Branch of Ansor Jayapura City, Papua, Ahmad Muhazir, Wednesday (12/25) morning.
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According to him, Ansor's involvement in security was a form of caring in maintaining security, establishing harmony with non-Muslims while maintaining national tolerance within a diversity frame. National tolerance must be maintained as a guarantee of the establishment of the Republic of Indonesia (Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia).
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Previously, the Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB) of Mimika Regency, Papua Province, mobilized more than 80 volunteers to help secure Christmas worship services in various churches in Timika City.
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Mimika FKUB Chair Ignatius Adii said the volunteers came from a number of religious communities in the Mimika Regency, such as Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. As for the Muslims, 55 volunteers, Hindus and Buddhists each had five people. In addition, there were around 20 accompanying people from various religions.
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"They will all help with security during the Christmas Eve service and Christmas Day, even to the close of the year night service in the churches," Ignatius said in Timika, Saturday (12/14).
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He mentioned the involvement of interfaith volunteers in safeguarding religious holidays in Mimika, both Christmas and New Year as well as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha has become a routine that continues to be nurtured and maintained as a picture of tolerance among religious believers in the region very well.