Religious Leaders in Kudus Declare Interfaith Harmony

Signed by the representatives of the Coordination Forum for Regional Heads as well as the interfaith and community leaders at the district government's pavilion here on August 13, the petition paved the way for the signatories to preserve the religious harmony and reject all forms of radicalism.

The declaration of the interfaith harmony was attended by Head of Kudus District Head Musthofa, Speaker of Kudus District's legislative body Masan, military and police officers, district government officials, as well as the leaders of Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Hinduism, and Buddhism in Kudus.

The leaders from several Muslim organizations, such as the Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah and Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), were also present to witness the signing of the declaration.

The signatories were expected to assist efforts to maintain a peaceful coexistence of followers of different faiths; respect religious difference, and preserve the interfaith harmony in society based on the state ideology Pancasila and 1945 Constitution.

Musthofa urged all elements of society to take part in building peace in the entire areas of Kudus District.

"We hope the interfaith harmony does exist in Kudus. Thus it looks like a city, situated in the middle of a park," the head of Kudus District said.

The good attitude of religious tolerance had even been shown by two members of Wali Sanga -- the nine propagators of Islam in Java -- in Kudus in the past.

For gaining the objective of this declaration, Musthofa welcomes the local Interfaith Communication Forum's (FKUB) activists to hold their activities at the district government's pavilion.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Unity of Politics and Kudus People Protection Djati Solechah said the declaration of religious harmony would enable local residents to prevent acts of religious intolerance.

"Let us work together to create the religious tolerance and harmony so that our entire neighborhood remains conducive," Solechah said.