Openness, Critical Thinking Keys to Recover from Intolerance: Muhammadiyah Researcher

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Researcher and Muhammadiyah member, Muhammad Abdullah Darraz in a written statement on Thursday asserted the importance of transparency and being critical as the main traits that are needed in Indonesia's younger generations to recover from intolerance and radicalism. 

"If we intend to recover from radicalism and intolerance, there are two ways, first is transparency and the other is critical attitude. Those are crucial," said Darraz in his statement in Jakarta on August 18. 

Radicalism oftentimes seeps into a person's ideology due to transparency or openness that is not accompanied by critical thinking, he explained. Darraz mentioned radical infiltrations that are starting to evolve and be even more 'elegant in influencing people. However, the two traits need to be boosted by proper literacy, he added. 

"Surely, these must be followed by literacy and discussions to open up to broader knowledge," said Darraz. 

He said that radicalism and intolerance in the country are at a concerning phase and could, unfortunately, weaken a nation and polarize its population.

"A healthy nation is one that is chock-full of tolerance, maintains peace, and appreciates differences, as radicalism and intolerance can weaken a country and hamper its future development," Darraz said. 

He then mentioned intolerance in practice that was evident in 2017 and 2019, when the Jakarta Gubernatorial Election and the Presidential Election took place, respectively.

"In the context of 2017, 2019, the political [application] was very clear, rejecting differences in the name of religious beliefs were used as tools, used as political agendas. This must not reoccur in the future. Religion must be used for virtue, not momentary agendas," he insisted. 

ANTARA

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