Leimena Institute Praises the Practices of Religious Tolerance in Yogyakarta

The Governor of Special Region of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X (in the middle), accompanied by Acting Assistant Regional Secretary of for Administration and General Affairs, Beny Suharsono (far right), when received attendance from the Leimena Institute: Prof. Dr. Amin Abdullah (Board Member of the Steering Committee of Pancasila Ideology Development Agency), Prof. Dr. Alwi Shihab (Senior Fellow), and Matius Ho (Executive Director).

IL News 010/2022

Jakarta, July 22, 2022 – The Governor of Special Region of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, received attendance from Leimena Institute, Friday (10/6). During the said meeting, Leimena Institute Senior Fellow Prof. Alwi Shihab praised the good practices of religious tolerance in Yogyakarta.

This was conveyed by Prof. Alwi who was accompanied by the Executive Director of Leimena Institute Matius Ho and Board Member of the Steering Committee of Pancasila Ideology Development Agency, Prof. Amin Abdullah.

“We are also here to report on some programs, with the purpose of strengthening tolerance not just in one place but also throughout Indonesia,” stated Prof. Alwi, as quoted from the portal of Special Region of Yogyakarta Government Public Relations, https://jogjaprov.go.id/.

It was conveyed that about 15-20 people from the Leimena Institute delegation coming from the United States of America will conduct a work visit to Yogyakarta to witness firsthand the practices of inter-religious tolerance. Yogyakarta has been known internationally as a harmonious city that could maintain relations among all the religious communities in Indonesia.

Prof. Alwi added that Yogyakarta is a concrete example of a city that strongly upholds religious tolerance.

“With this event in mind, the delegation from America is asking for an audience with Sri Sultan,” the former Foreign Minister of Republic of Indonesia further stated.

According to Prof. Alwi, this work visit is a follow-up on the previous visit conducted by an earlier delegation two years ago.

“Two years ago, there was already a delegation from America who came to Yogyakarta and it imparted guidance to their respective countries. It then attracted the interest of other delegations to come and, alhamdulillah, he (Sri Sultan) was pleased to receive said audience,” he mentioned.

After the meeting which was held at Gedhong Wilis, Kepatihan Complex, Yogyakarta, Acting Assistant Regional Secretary of for Administration and General Affairs, Beny Suharsono, declared that Special Region of Yogyakarta Government supports the agenda of the said visit.

“Sri Sultan said earlier that times have changed. There should be fundamental principles, but there are also those that adapt to the development of the times. If you look at Yogyakarta, don’t just look at it on the outside, but also on the inside,” said Beny, who is also the Head of Special Region of Yogyakarta’s Development Planning Agency.

“They have already assessed Yogyakarta as a city that can be an example of a harmonious civilization among religious people, groups, and ethnicities. The result of the previous visit also broadened their view of Yogyakarta and, more precisely, tolerance according to their own experience, not just what the media says,” he continued.

Religious tolerance and harmony are crucial in building the unity of the nation. In addition to visiting Yogyakarta, the US delegation will also meet a number of Leimena Institute partners in the implementation of the Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy (CCRL) international program. [IL/PR/Chr]

*Photo credit: The portal of Special Region of Yogyakarta Government Public Relations.