Interfaith cooperation for peace and justice

Background information

The freedom of religion enshrined in Indonesia's state constitution and the state motto "unity in diversity" propagate pluralism. The majority of Muslims practice a locally influenced, moderate Islam. However, intolerance has increased among the population. Narrow-minded or uneducated views toward other religious groups are evident in social media, sermons, publications, and public and political discourse. The authorities do not make sufficient efforts to protect the rights of minority groups, including Muslim minorities such as the Ahmadiyah. Radicalism also occurs on the part of minorities, such as Christians. In various regions of Indonesia, incidents related to violence, persecution, and oppression of religious minorities occur regularly. In addition, religion is instrumentalized by anti-democratic forces: Ex-militants from the years of Suharto's autocratic rule ally themselves with Islamist groups in order to assert their own political power interests. Even the Christian-Chinese governor of Jakarta was convicted of alleged blasphemy against Allah and deprived of his power. Wahhabi-oriented educational institutions and mosques oppose tolerance and pluralism. Radical groups sprout from them and sometimes resort to terrorist means.

Project goals

In particular, young people and young leaders within the sphere of influence of our partner organizations are empowered to build nonviolent and equal relationships across ethnic and religious boundaries, to launch their own interfaith initiatives, to prevent violent conflicts, and to mitigate the potential for violence in situations of violence and conflict at various levels.

• Dialogues between conflict parties for peace consolidation are initiated and accompanied
• Peace mediators are trained
• Strategies for the non-violent resolution of conflicts are promoted
• Those affected by violence are given access to psychosocial and legal support
• Government, local authorities and community leaders are sensitized to human and civil rights

Target group

The beneficiaries are selected by Mission 21's partner organizations, which are very well rooted in society. Attention is paid to participation from different religious communities, especially those not known for openness and tolerance, and special support for women. The prevailing patriarchal culture and a conservative understanding of religion often mean that the involvement of women in the public sphere and project activities is widely regarded as taboo.

• Women, young adults and youth from mainly rural communities in West Java
• Junior church leaders
• Victims of violence, especially women
• Key political and social figures

Activities

• Research on radicalization in West Java
• Activities to prevent radicalization and transform conflict, including awareness-raising work, book and video productions, youth encounters, practice-oriented training programs, the establishment of locally adapted formats for interreligious dialogue, the establishment of so-called peace villages, solidarity visits from communities under pressure
• Psychosocial and legal support for victims of violence
• Networking with high-level religious associations, government agencies, policymakers, and the media
• Maintaining the alumni network of former participants, the so-called peace ambassadors

Project progress

In 2023, a total of 2,377 project participants (50% women and girls) took part in the interfaith activities on understanding human rights, conflict transformation and non-violent approaches. The Wahid Foundation promotes a tolerant view of Islam and stands for pluralism, multiculturalism, democracy and human rights.

As part of the Peace Village program initiated in 2017, they empower young people, especially young women of different religious affiliations, to act as initiators for social justice and tolerance in their communities and convince their villages to introduce peace-building measures. The Wahid Foundation works together with LK3 and the GKP, both of which are also partner organizations of Mission 21.

The Fahmina Institute is also committed to progressive Islam and interreligious dialog. On the one hand, by strengthening the commitment of religious leaders who actively promote tolerance and peace within and outside their communities. On the other hand, by training young Muslim, Christian and Buddhist people in Ciberon and the surrounding area to become peace activists. The grassroots community initiative is growing steadily and the activists are becoming increasingly independent. Without the support of the Fahmina Institute, they are organizing activities such as meeting spaces and visiting each other at religious ceremonies. Last year, the Fahmina Institute particularly supported the exchange between the young peace activists and the district governments.

The PGI as a religious organization representing the majority of Christians in Indonesia, continued to focus its projects and activities in 2023 on promoting issues such as diversity, peace and combating violence against women. Its long-established "Seminar of Religions" in collaboration with indigenous communities promoted understanding and empathy for other religions. The TAB program for interfaith dialogue and cooperation has become a central pillar of the PGI's activities and reaches many young people throughout Indonesia in particular. In 2023, it was even held twice due to high demand.

The project activities of the Christian Pasundan Church also focus on the same topics GKPaimed at young people in the province of West Java. In the new program phase from 2022, the GKP has also started to set up a peace village program - with great success. Leaders from religious communities, politics and village communities support the activities of the young peace promoters. This commitment has therefore been extended to other villages. The GKP's interfaith youth camp is becoming more and more established. In recognition of this important work in the field of peacebuilding, GKP received the "Intercultural Achievement Award 2023" from the Austrian Embassy in Jakarta.