TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Widodo or Jokowi stated in the R20 International Summit of Religious Authorities (R20 ISORA) today that religion plays a pivotal role in maintaining unity in the country, as managing diversity is not without difficulties.

“We are grateful that Indonesia is able to put aside tribal egos, religious egos, and regional egos so that it can realize unity in diversity,” the President said in his opening speech at the summit organized by the country’s largest Islamic organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Monday, Nov. 27.

The summit focused its discussion on the role of religion in addressing the ongoing violence in the Middle East.

Indonesia currently has a population of nearly 280 million, spread across some 17,000 islands, with 714 tribes and more than 1,300 regional languages.

“Unity in diversity cannot be realized if it is not supported by religious teachings,” Jokowi remarked.

In the same speech, he stressed that the current massacre of civilians, including children and women, in Palestine is illogical. He called for Palestinian independence from Israeli occupation.

“It is illogical and unconscionable that this super modern world allows for war and massacre in Palestine,” Jokowi exclaimed. “The humanitarian tragedy in Palestine cannot be tolerated in any way.”

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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