Yogyakarta is appropriate to become a model for city of peace in Indonesia. Yogyakarta is a symbol of co-existence and tolerance between different faiths and between their believers. The city continues to create construction in the structure of harmony between the modern and the traditional, between the ethnic groups and Indonesia, between global and local, even Islam and non-Islam.
In Kotabaru there are the Syuhada mosque, HKBP Christian Church and Catholic Church standing in close proximity. In the old times, there were the Hindu Prambanan Temple, co-existing with the Buddhist Sewu Temple.
“Thus, world interfaith leaders considers Yogyakarta appropriate to be named the ‘City of Tolerance’,” said Secretary General of Forum of Believers (FPUB), Thimotius Aprianto, alongside the preparation for symposium on nationhood at UGM, Thursday (20/6).
Thimotius was present accompanied by Dr. Arqom Kuswanjono (Vice Dean of Faculty of Philosophy UGM) and Dr. Didit Hadi Barianto, M.Si (Symposium secretary general).
Thimotius says some factors to support Yogyakarta as a City of Tolerance and a model of city of peace in Indonesia, which are the King of Palace/Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, Sri Sultan HB X, interfaith leaders, academicians and civilians.
Thimotius admitted to maintain the diversity of Indonesia is a challenge in the post-reform era. Discrimination and violence are still threatening diversity in the country nowadays.
Similarly, Arqom Kuswanjono said the people of Yogyakarta still prioritises academic approach rather than non-academic one in terms of tolerance. UGM as the campus of the people has a strong commitment to enhance the foundation of the state, Pancasila.
“So, let’s learn from Yogya,” said Arqom.
The symposium will run at UC UGM, Saturday, 22 June 2013, with the theme Building Indonesian Civilisation in Faith Diversity between Sunni, Shi’ite, Ahmadiyah, Christianity, Catholicism, Buddha, Hindu, Confucianism and Other Faiths. It will be attended by over 25 interfaith leaders.