West Kalimantan To Maintain Religious Tolerance

PONTIANAK, W Kalimantan, Jan 2 (Antara) - West Kalimantan Governor Cornelis has reminded the local people to continue to maintain religious tolerance and harmony in the province. Inaugurating the Maria Ratu Pencinta Damai Catholic Church on Jalan Pancasila here on Monday, the governor remarked that in 2018 there would be a lot of challenges, and therefore, interfaith tolerance and harmony should continue to be maintained. "We cannot build the region alone, so there must be cohesiveness and cooperation between the center and the village level," Cornelis said, adding that the presence of the church serves as a house of worship to build the quality of faith of the people, so that the leaders of the people, especially the Christian community, must open themselves and willing to cooperate with the government to succeed development in all fields. In addition he expects the Church as a place of worship to be used to pray to God and other spiritual activities to improve faith. In his speech, the governor expressed hope that freedom of religion will continue to prevail in the country. Besides, the governor called on all public elements to create a democratic climate and build harmony and tolerance. On the occasion, he underlined the importance of the role played by leaders and religious figures in solving any problem that may arise in the province and in the country. Hence, the leaders and religious figures have been urged to guide the people to apply their religious teachings on all occasions and constantly strive to seek peaceful solutions to all problems. Building and maintaining religious harmony along with presenting enlightened examples of leadership are vital to settle conflicts. Amid the heterogeneity and dynamism of Indonesia, during times of conflict, leaders and religious figures should play an active role by seeking peaceful solutions. The leaders and religious figures of a nation should apply just and democratic principles in the best interests of their people.