Indonesia A Tolerant Country

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Indonesia's Vice President Jusuf Kalla has expressed deep concern over the conflict in Singkil, Aceh, which runs counter to the country's principle of according respect to various religions.

"Indonesia is a tolerant country respecting various religions in the community," he said in his speech at the commemoration of Islamic New Year at the Isticlal mosque here on Wednesday.

In view of that, he called on the people to continue practicing tolerance. Regarding  the incident in Singkil, he said it must be resolved through a legal process.

On this occasion, Kalla also expressed his concern at many people from Muslim majority countries in the Middle East fleeing to Europe due to conflicts in their region.

In the prayer read by House Commission VIII member Maman Imanulhaq at the occasion, it was hoped that no more conflict and slanders would happen as these would only leave the country mired in problems.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla hoped that the incident in Singkil could be settled properly and fairly.

"Well, all problems must be settled properly, based on the principle of justice and according to the rules, so that such issues do not create other problems," he said at his office on Tuesday.

Kalla has contacted Aceh governor Zaini Abdullah who believed that misunderstanding was the reason behind the incident.

In his sermon at the Sunda Kelapa mosque on June 21, Vice President Jusuf Kalla said inter-religious life in Indonesia has been harmonious, as indicated by the many religious holidays marked by people of all religions in the country.

He said there are six religions in the country and they all have their religious holidays recognized by the state, including the ones observed by a religion that has followers numbering less than one percent of the country's population.

In Europe that has a small but significant Muslim population, no country recognizes Eid al-Fttr holiday. (WDY)