Pluralism Must Be accompanied By Tolerance: President

Jakarta, Aug 16 (Antara) - Indonesia is a pluralistic nation that continues to maintain tolerance and harmony between religious communities, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Friday. In his state-of-the-nation address delivered during a joint plenary session between the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) delivered on the eve of the August 17 Independence Day, Yudhoyono said, "We should interpret this pluralism as being a blessing." "I urge all of us to increasingly realize that Indonesia is a pluralistic nation, and thus we are obligated to manage it properly and wisely," he noted. The president also said that with the spirit of "Bhineka Tunggal Ika", Unity in Diversity, the people of Indonesia should continue to strengthen their tolerance in a bid to prevent communal conflicts and violence. "On this good occasion, I would like to remind all people of Indonesia that the state fully guarantees the existence of individuals and minority groups," he said. Further, President Yudhoyono said Indonesia does not distinguish between persons or groups of people based upon their backgrounds. "All citizens of Indonesia - regardless of their social, cultural, and religious backgrounds - have the same dignity and honor, and therefore we have to take care of and maintain this diversity as a gift," the president continued. Based upon the Constitution, the president noted that the state guaranteed freedom of worship for its citizens, according to their respective religion and belief. "Everyone must respect the rules of the Constitution. It is not justifiable for any group of people to impose their beliefs upon others by way of threat, intimidation, or act of violence," he said. The president added that he remains concerned following several recent incidents of intolerance and communal violence. He added that it is impossible to eliminate the differences between peoples, because these differences are the hallmark of a pluralistic community. "Therefore, I ask all religious leaders, public figures, parents, and teachers to praise the values of tolerance and the principle of peaceful coexistence," the president noted.