Malang – Indonesia is blessed with diverse tribes, religions, races, languages, and cultures, where differences then become an inevitability. However, the founders of the nation managed to pour out a formulation that unites this diversity in the 1945 Constitution and Pancasila as the basis of the state.
Therefore, this unity above diversity must continue to be maintained, so that in the future it does not become a potential source of national division due to the existing diversity.
"Our task is to ensure that the foundation of unity based on diversity continues to be maintained and managed, so that it does not pose a threat to the integrity of the nation," said Vice President (Wapres) KH Ma'ruf Amin when giving a Public Lecture at the Islamic University of Malang (UNISMA), Friday (19/1/2024).
In the lecture entitled 'Quo Vadis Religious Moderation in the Framework of Maintaining the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and World Civilization', the Vice President said that the methods that can be taken to maintain unity can be done through daily activities.
"This is what we must continue to embody in our daily lives, including through an attitude of love for our country, tolerance, anti-violence, and respect for tradition," he urged.
Through daily practice, the Vice President believes that unity can continue to run across time and era. "The long history of the nation has proven that diversity should not bring division, but rather become a gift, capital, and wealth that unites," he added.
The Vice President also invited all parties to reflect on how to interpret differences. "There are still cases of rejection of the establishment of houses of worship in several regions, as well as political contestation linked to religious issues, indicating that there is still homework that needs to be completed," he said.
For this reason, the Vice President appealed to all elements of society to jointly commit to maintaining unity and preventing conflict through good understanding of differences.
"This does not only require the role of the government, but also all components of society, religious leaders, media, political parties, including educational institutions," concluded the Vice President.
Previously, Deputy Governor of East Java Emil E. Dardak explained that in 2023, the Interfaith Harmony Index (KUB) in East Java reached 77,55. This figure exceeds the national KUB index average of 76.02. This proves that East Java Province upholds moderation and fully supports the creation of harmony and unity.
"The increase in the KUB index is to reflect that East Java always maintains harmonious and friendly social interactions," he hoped.
Also attending the event were Acting Mayor of Malang Wahyu Hidayat, Secretary of the UNISMA Foundation Board of Trustees Mochtar Data, UNISMA Chancellor Maskuri, and all UNISMA academics.
On this occasion, the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia was accompanied by the Head of the Vice President's Secretariat Ahmad Erani Yustika, Deputy for Administration Sapto Harjono WS, Special Staff of the Vice President Masduki Baidlowi, M. Nasir, Masykuri Abdillah, M. Imam Azis, Zumrotul Mukaffa and Arif Rahmansyah Marbun, as well as the Vice President's Expert Team Nurdin Tampubolon, Johan Tedja and Farhat Brachma. (Vice Presidential Secretariat)
