Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue

“It does not matter about the identity of your religion or tribe. If you can do something good for everyone, people never ask what your religion is”.

This quote from Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid is still an inspiration for many Indonesians.

Indonesia is culturally, politically and above all religiously diverse. There are six officially recognized religions (Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism) and various ethnic groups, as well as many different languages and dialects.

However, Indonesia considers itself as one nation state despite regional challenges.

From one side, differences of faith and culture are examined and assessed as the wealth of the nation, a place where people of different religions and culture appreciate or respect each other, learn from each other, enrich each other and reinforce religious values and faith.

Existing diversity need not be contradicted, but must be viewed from a positive standpoint and serve as the nation’s wealth.

Followers of different religions and cultures should be able to live together in harmony and peace, mutual respect, mutual help and love each other.

But in the history of religious and cultural life, it often happens that differences serve as a triggers for disagreement, discord and conflict.

Such incidents are sad and make many people worry.

Brotherhood, harmony and peace will be threatened if we cannot overcome our differences.

One example is the case of Galang Press director Julius Felicianus, who was attacked at his house along with other Catholics.

We need to pay special attention to the problems and explore measures to solve them.

We must not accuse and prejudice other religions, ethnicities, individuals or groups.

One way is to engage in interfaith and intercultural dialogue. Dialogue is not debate.

Dialogue is about learning how to listen, critical thinking and respect.

It’s about having the broad-mindedness to accept differences. In the terminology of Pancasila, we call it deliberation.

Do not be easily to be provoked. We must try to know in advance the true purpose of those who try to provoke us.

We need to boost our understanding of our national motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) and we need more people to implement dialogue to achieve peace.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/06/03/your-letters-interfaith-intercultural-dialogue.html

Global Peace Volunteer Camp in Yogyakarta

Global Peace Volunteers (GPV) Camp is one of the programs of Global Peace Foundation Indonesia (GPF) Indonesia. GPV Camp is a program that provides a platform for undergraduate students to exchange ideas and learn through service towards fostering a culture of service and volunteerism.  Besides, it is also an opportunity to raise young leaders of character, values, and virtues.

The GPV Camp has done 20 times in Indonesia. It was the 21^st camp in Indonesia. The GPV Camp 1.21 was held in Yogyakarta on May 17-18, 2014. The participants were from around Indonesia. The committee was selected them based on essay and curriculum vitae and there were 36 the best participants from different background and universities around Indonesia.

Before starting the GPV Camp program, all the committee gave warm welcome to all of the participants in Kaliurang, Yogyakarta. This place is around 2 hours from Yogyakarta city. Everybody introduced themselves. They were so exited even though did not know each other.

May 17, 2014 the camp started with education for GPV Camp participants. The participants were inspired by me, Robinson Sinurat about the vision and mission of GPF “One Family under God”. With this theme, the participants realized the importance of mutual respect regardless of religion, race, color, tribe, and nation because we are one family. Participants also gave the inputs on how we can realize and achieve One Family under God. They were so excited to realize that theme.

After that, we continue sang “where peace begin”. This song is the theme song of GPF. Participants also were happy and did it several times. After singing, we watched an inspirational video of Ryan’s well. Participants were keeping inspired with the Ryan’s well video where 6 years old boy with his big heart, big dream, and never give up to live for the greater good. Participants also discussed what the keys of success that made Ryan’s dream become true.

After breaking, the participants inspired by Ms.Tokuda Yor Ching Poon about true love, pure love, and the importance of family as school of love because family is the first place to learn about love. To bring peace, it required us to sow the seeds of love, but we still need to clear about the love. What love for every one and what love for only one. That is why this session was so important. The participants knew that true love is living for others or for everyone and pure love for only one (our future husband/wife). Make it sure, keep it pure!

The participants also did skit performance. The participants divided by 5 groups. They showed what they have known from the sessions with their each theme. The themes were One Family under God, Moral and Innovative Leader, Living for others, True Love, and Pure Love. Laugh and cheers from them made they were closer.

Because we are one family, they did heart to heart session. Treated each other like brother and sister. Heart to heart is sharing their life curve. The important one from this session is trust. Although they didn’t know each other before, but they can open their heart to share and listen to each other story. This was the first time that heart to heart session with bonfire.

Cool weather on May 18, 2014 supported participants to have physical exercise through Unity Ball. Unity ball is not only about playing ball but also about how to reach the goal. Unity ball has taught participants about team work, building trust, never give up, thinking about others, and many positive things inside that needed as a moral and innovative leader.

The participants were not only learn theories but also practical through social service project. Serving others is not only expression of care and concern for others, but also can be a trans-formative experience for those who serve. Service builds character and help to engender one’s ability to love and respect others.

As the last session in the last day, the participants inspired by Shintya Rahmi Utami about 4 core values that we should have as a leader. She mentioned that as moral and innovative leader, we should have values; living for the greater good, big dream, take ownership, and team work.

Before finishing the program, participants divided into group regarding to their city to discuss about their action plan after this GPV Camp. They had many great ideas to execute. What participants got in this GPV Camp is very useful to become moral and innovative global leader.

Big thanks to Yogya team for everything. Thank you for your heart and hard work.

"YOUNG PEOPLE MAKING CHANGE"

JANGAN MENYERAH UNTUK MERAIH MIMPIMU!

23 tahun hidup di dunia ini, begitu banyak orang –orang yang sudah aku kenal. Begitu juga dengan jenis watak dan karekaternya. Begitu banyak cerita hidup yang sudah aku dengarkan dari kebanyakan orang-orang. Kebanyakan dari pendengar akan berkata “WOW” ketika sudah pernah ke Amerika ataupun Eropa. Kalau belum ke sana rasanya belum mendapatkan “WOW” tersebut. Hal inilah terkadang yang membuat aku kurang semangat jika bertemu dengan orang baru yang memiliki keinginan untuk bisa ke sana. Ingin rasanya berbagi dan saling menginspirasi, tetapi aku pribadi belum pernah menginjakkan kaki di sana. Sehingga orang-orang juga tidak terlalu tertarik dengan apa yang akan aku sampaikan. Sedih pastinya sedih. Tapi, apa daya masih tetap berjuang ke sana.

Aku adalah salah satu orang yang ingin sekali bisa menginjakkan kaki di 2 benua tersebut. Bahkan keinginan yang sangat kuat untuk bisa melanjutkan study di negeri Paman Sam tersebut. Tidak tau kapan akan datangnya. Beberapa kali sudah saya apply beasiswa ke sana tapi hasilnya belum juga “CONGRATULATIONS!”.

Terkadang rasanya down banget dan memberontak kepada Yang Maha Kuasa. “Kenapa begini??” itulah pertanyaan yang selalu ada dibenakku kalau sudah menerima announcement dari pihak pemberi beasiswa. Apa salahku? Apa yang aku lakukan? Banyak lagi pertanyaan-pertanyaan yang muncul hingga membuat aku menjadi seperti orang yang tidak memiliki iman (terkadang).

Tetapi, banyak hal yang membuat aku semakin matang dengan setiap kegagalan yang ada. Instropeksi diri dan tentunya lebih banyak belajar lagi. Semakin kuat pastinya. Banyak motivasi-motivasi yang menjadikan aku bangkit kembali. Tidak ada jalan yang mudah untuk mencapai kesuksesan. Semuanya ada tantangan dan harus dihadapi. Kalau menyerah maka akan gagal untuk selamanya. Cepat atau lambat, setiap usaha kita akan mendapatkan balasan.

"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." ~ Confucius

Mimpi itu masih ada dan semakin kuat di dalam hati dan pikiran ini. Entah kapan Tuhan akan memberikan jawaban “IYA” kepadaku. Aku masih sabar sembari memperbaiki diri. Seperti kata Andrea Hirata: Bermimpilah, karena Tuhan akan memeluk mimpi-mimpimu. Quote ini juga yang membuat saya untuk tetap bermimpi. Dari mimpi inilah muncul setiap usaha dan perbaikan-perbaikan untuk lebih baik.

Mimpi indahku hingga saat ini adalah bisa study di negeri Paman Sam dan bisa bebagi cerita yang kiranya bisa menginspirasi orang banyak . Terutama para pemuda di negaraku dan kiranya bisa berbakti kepada bangsa dan negara. Membuat suatu perubahan baik yang menjadi contoh bagi generasi-generasi berikutnya.

Saat ini aku masih berjuang dan akan tetap berjuang untuk mencapai mimpi-mimpi indah itu. Amerika..aku akan datang disaat yang tepat. Waktu tepat yang akan Dia berikan kepadaku. Semoga Tuhan berkenan.

Kalimat di bawah ini yang membuat aku lebih menyadari bahwa semuanya akan indah pada waktunya ketika kita mau berusaha dan hidup di jalan yang benar.

Semua keberhasilan besar dalam hidup ini dicapai melalui perilaku yang alamiah.

Engkau tak mungkin menjadi pribadi yang kuat dan melakukan sesuatu yang hebat,

langsung dari keadaan muda yang labil dan emosional.

Engkau harus tumbuh mendamaikan diri dengan kesalahan masa lalumu,

damai dan bangga mengenai dirimu sendiri,

dan yakin namun rendah hati mengenai hakmu untuk berhasil.

Engkau harus tumbuh secara alamiah,

satu langkah demi satu langkah, satu hari demi satu hari;

dan mendapatkan persetujuan dan dukungan dari satu orang demi satu orang.

Tekunkanlah dirimu melakukan yang baik bagi diri dan sesamamu,

abaikanlah komentar sinis dan iri dari mereka yang tak mampu,

tersenyumlah di hadapan kesulitan,

dan rendahkanlah hatimu di hadapan keberhasilan dan pujian.

Itulah yang menjadikanmu pemenang yang alamiah,

yang anggun, dan yang dibanggakan oleh Tuhan.

Community Driven Development in Indonesia

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/03/20/your-letters-solar-powered-lighting-a-village.html

The AVP is a community-driven development program that provides solar-powered lights to the impoverished village. The program will help students in the area extend their study hours at home, particularly those whose homes are not connected to electricity networks. Meanwhile, their parents will also have an opportunity to improve their welfare.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/04/07/your-letters-lighting-villages.html

Religious Tolerance in Kampung Sawah

Kampung Sawah in Bekasi is unique in its Betawi cultural settlement. It is the first Betawi village where residents have diverse religions. Kampung Sawah, some three hours’ drive from Jakarta, is home to the St. Servatius Catholic Church. Since the last century, local residents have been Muslim, Protestant and Catholic.

This diversity deviates from the norm that Betawi people are all Islamic. Although there are different religions, the key to harmony in the village is to maintain kinship. There is a history of religious violence in Kampung Sawah.

Almost adjacent to one another are the Pasundan Christian Church, Servatius Catholic Church and Istiqamah Mosque. And all of them get along peacefully.

If it is Idul Fitri, there are always Protestant and Catholic residents on the celebration committee, same goes for Muslims during Christmas.

If the citizens of the Christian or Catholic Church wear a cap and scarf, they do so as an expression of the original Betawi culture. There is nothing contradictory there to Betawi culture, except to those who do not understand history and rush to prejudice religious identities. Kin relationships are not only through blood relations, but also through marriage. There is crossbreeding among different faiths.

Two weeks ago there was an annual charity event in the St. Servatius Parish of Kampung Sawah that is two decades old.

For the Catholic residents of Kampung Sawah, this is an expression of gratitude to God for blessings extraordinary to them.

The event was not only attended by Catholics but also by those of other religions. “In previous years it has been attended by representatives from every religion here, Catholics, Muslims, Hindus, Protestants and Buddhists,” said William, who is from the St. Servatius Parish.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/05/21/citizen-journalism-tolerance-kampung-sawah.html

Alllights Village Project in Sakomakmur, South Sumatera, INDONESIA

Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Indonesia along with Global Peace Youth Corps (GPYC) Chapter Palembang, Sriwijaya University, and Banyuasin Government distributed and installed solar lanterns in Sakomakmur Village, Sembawa District, Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatera.

                                             Global Peace Youth Corps Chapter Palembang

Prior to the distribution, the villagers had very limited activities during night time due to unavailable access to electricity. Therefore, as its commitment to flourish culture of service, GPF Indonesia with several institutions and volunteers conducted an activity called ‘Alllights Village Project’.

Alllights Village Project is a village development program by facilitating solar lanterns in villages with no electricity access. This program is also expected to help local government in developing underdeveloped villages. This sustainable program will have a lamp distribution activity as its initial agenda, followed by educational developmental activities, and local potential development that can improve village’s social and economy condition.

Alllight Village Project in Sakomakmur is the sixth program by GPF Indonesia and the first time conducted beyond Java Island. In this program, there were 13 street lamps installed and 40 house lanterns distributed to families with school-aged children. These lamps can be used in night time without electricity thus it is expected that children can study at night.

 “I am very grateful that we can get the solar lanterns as it will really help our children to study at night,” said Mr. Bonari, the village chief of Sakomakmur Village.

By having these lanterns, GPF believes that children can do their homework at night and extended their study time, which will improve children’s education. Not only that, GPF also believes that Alllights Village Project can flourish the culture of service because basically all human beings are One Family under God.

Alllights Village Project

Did you know that many villages whose children and community have been living without the electricity? We come to help them with our project, APV. It stands for Alllights Village Project.

The Alllights Village Project is a movement to make an ideal village embodying Global Peace Festival Foundation’s (GPFF) vision, “One Family under God”, through providing solar-charged lanterns to poor villages without electricity in the world. By doing this, people in the villages will be given extra time to study and a chance to be educated to promote the social and economic development of their villages by themselves.

First, the Alllights Village Project will give the poor villages a pleasant residential environment without hazardous gas and smoke through providing solar-charged lanterns. Some 1.6 billion people in the world, more than a quarter of humanity, have no access to electricity and 2.4 billion people rely on wood, charcoal or dung as their principal source of energy for heating. This fuel is literally killing people. Two and a half million women and children die each year from the indoor pollution from cooking fires. 

Second, the Alllights Village Project will develop a movement to eradicate illiteracy in poor villages. The right to an education is a basic human right, and eradicating illiteracy is one of the first steps to guaranteeing basic human rights. To make an equal society and create social harmony, people have to be guaranteed equal opportunities to realize their basic rights and to improve their quality of life. But, in their environment, poor people currently have no hope of improvement of the quality of their lives. 

The Alllights Village Project will provide lights to such people who do not receive proper education and educate the people so they can make the foundation for social and economic development on their own.

Hidup di Daerah Terpencil, Anak-anak Dusun Tretes Masih Bisa Tersenyum

Apakah yang kalian bayangkan ketika mendengar dusun terpencil? Pastinya berbagai macam jawaban yang tentunya mengarah ke hal-hal yang sangat jauh dari kota. Yapp..benar sekali kalau hal tersebut yang ada di dalam bayangan kita. 

Ini kali ketiga saya datang ke dusun yang jaraknya sekitar 74 km dari Bojonegoro ini. Saya memiliki kesempatan untuk tinggal di dusun ini selama  4 hari. Dusun ini merupakan salah satu tempat yang menjadi program dari Alllights Village Project of Global Peace Foundation Indonesia.

Inilah Dusun Tretes tersebut:

Ketika hujan, maka akan menempuh jalan seperti ini:

Banyak hal yang membuat saya semakin bersyukur dengan apa yang saya miliki saat ini dan membuat saya bersemangat untuk tinggal di tempat ini. Beberapa hal tersebut adalah:

• Upacara bendera di SDN Pragelan III Dusun Tretes

Pertama kalinya saya melihat anak-anak sekolah tidak beralaskan kaki tetapi tetap semangat untuk      datang ke sekolah. Jumlah siswa di sekolah ini adalah 30 orang dengan tenaga pengajar sebanyak 4 orang.

Saya sangat terharu melihat para siswa sangat bahagia saat kami datang ke sekolah mereka. Ketika itu saya bersama volunteer dari UIN Surabaya datang dan langsung memberikan semangat kepada mereka. Pada umumnya setiap hari Senin sekolah-sekolah di seluruh Indonesia wajib melaksanakan upacara bendera. Tetapi tidak untuk sekolah SDN Pragelan III Dusun Tretes. Ini kali kedua mereka melangsungkan upacara bendera (10 Februari 2014). Ada banyak hal yang menyebabkan hal tersebut, salah satunya adalah hingga saat ini tidak ada tiang bendera di sekolah ini. Upacara bendera yang sangat mengharukan.

                                  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfILDVb-Mtc

• Kamar Mandi

Mungkin kita memiliki beberapa kamar mandi di rumah atau tempat tinggal kita. At least ada 1 kamar mandi di setiap rumah. Hal yang paling unik di dusun ini adalah hanya ada 1 kamar mandi yang di gunakan oleh semua orang di dusun ini. Can you imagine it?

Awalnya saya juga bingung bagimana menjelaskannya. Akhirnya saya merasakan dan bisa menjelaskan sedikit tentang kamar mandi ini. Ketika saya tinggal di dusun ini, ada beberapa hal yang saya perhatikan dan saya tanyakan kepada warga. Jadi, setiap orang sudah mulai mengantri mulai pukul 16.00 WIB untuk mandi secara bergilir. Setelah selesai mandi, harus mengangakat gorden yang berada di depan pintu kamar mandi tersebut ke atas. Hal ini pertanda bahwa tidak ada orang di kamar mandi (seperti pintu terbuka). Untuk pengambilan air, kebetulan airnya ada di bagian luar kamar mandi. Jadi, tidak perlu menunggu orang lain selesai mandi. Tidak pernah terjadi perselisihan antar warga dikarenakan kamar mandi. Salutttt…

• Hanya ada 1 WC

Kunjungan pertama dan kedua saya ke dusun ini belum ada WC. Kunjungan ketiga ini sudah ada 1 WC yang terletak di belakan rumah kepala dusun. Selama ini, seluruh warga yang ada di dusun ini membuang air besar ke kali yang tidak jauh dari tempat tinggal mereka. Mereka tidak pernah kekurangan air karena memiliki sumber mata air yang langsung dari pegunungan. Hanya saja mereka belum memiliki dana untuk pembangunan saluran pipanisasi ke rumah masin-masing. Sehingga sulit untuk proses jambanisasi.

• Rasa Kekeluargaan 

Saya merasa diterima dan dihargai di dusun ini. Saya suku Batak dan beragama Katolik sedangkan warga di dusun ini adalah 100% suku Jawa yang beragama Islam. Mereka sama sekali tidak pernah mempermasalahkan perbedaan tersebut. Bahkan ketika itu ada pengajian di Masjid, saya diajak dan diberikan perlengkapan ke Masjid sperti sarung dan baju koko. 

Saya ikut ke Masjid dan saya menjadi observer ketika itu. Saya duduk di belakang dan setiap warga yang datang selalu memberikan kesan yang baik kepada saya. Setelah selesai sholat mereka semua menyalami saya. Setelah sholat berjamaah, dilakukan pengajian bersama anak-anak di dusun ini yang dipimpin oleh mahasiswa KKN. Mahasiswa KKN dari UIN Surabaya yang selalu mendampingi saya saat itu. Hal ini membuat saya sangat terharu. Beberapa malam terakhir sebelum saya kembali ke Jakarta, mereka semua berkumpul di rumah kepala dusun dan beramai-ramai mengajarkan saya bahasa Jawa. Mereka sangat terhibur ketika saya mengulang-ulang bahasa Jawa dan menjawab setiap pertanyaan mereka dalam bahasa Jawa yang sangat kaku. 

Dapur yang sangat sederhana:

Harapan saya untuk dusun ini adalah semoga semakin banyak orang-orang yang peduli, semakin banyak sukarelawan yang datang ke dusun ini untuk membantu dengan ikhlas sehingga warga di dusun ini bisa menjadi lebih baik.