Religious, Cultural Values Key to Tackle Radicalism: Jokowi
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Jumat, 20 Maret 2015 15:48 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – President Joko Widodo is slated to celebrate the 1937 Hindu Saka Lunar New Year in Prambanan, Klaten, Central Java. Jokowi said the Nyepi Day (Seclusion Day) was the right moment for humans to introspect and reflect on the true meaning of life.
“We are all obliged to cleanse our souls from [bad] behaviors,” he said at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase on Friday, March 20, 2015.
On the occasion, the president also underscored the significance of both religious and cultural approaches to tackle radicalism in the country. He added religious values should be instilled in citizens at early age to combat violent ideologies.
“It should start with the children, that’s important,” he said.
The president added radicalism and extremism require serious addressing, and that the government would take concrete measures to battle and keep radicalism from growing into a major threat to the nation.
At Prambanan Temple, Jokowi is scheduled to meet with a number of foreign officials joining him to celebrate the Saka New Year, including from Japan and China.
“There are also presidents and prime ministers from ASEAN,” he said, adding that he would told them that Indonesia was a great country that it “must play a role in economy, peace, politics and other fields.”
MUHAMMAD MUHYIDDIN