Friction in Cisauk, Farhan, and Courage Against Violence

Farhan's action should be appreciated. Each of us should reject acts of violence and prioritize non-violence.

KOMPAS/AGUIDO ADRI

The Chairman of RW 002 Marat (in a brown shirt) is communicating with residents of a boarding house in RT 007 RW 002, Kampung Poncol, Babakan Village, Setu District, South Tangerang City, on Monday (6/5/2024) afternoon, accompanied by the police.

Spontaneity of courage Farhan Rizky Romadon (22) rejected acts of violence by breaking up a commotion between residents and youth at RT 007 RW 002, Kampung Poncol, Babakan Village, Setu, Kota South Tangerang, worthy of example. All parties are asked to prioritize deliberation and maintain harmonization and mutual respect, so that friction like in South Tangerang does not happen again.

Sunday (5/5/2024) at around 21.00 WIB there was a commotion at one of the boarding houses in Poncol Village. The row of boarding houses was occupied by a number of students or young people who that night were carrying out activities praying the Rosary in commemoration of the Month of Mary.

Observing the commotion and the group attack, Farhan Rizky, one of the residents of the boarding house, was injured by a knife. He initially took the initiative to mediate and break up the fight among the groups of young men.

”I tried to break up the beating, misahin. I is neutral, I don't know right or left. "Because I feel sorry for that NTT boys being beaten up," said Farhan, Monday (6/5/2024).

KOMPAS/AGUIDO ADRI

Farhan Rizky (22), a resident of one of the boarding houses in Kampung Poncol, Babakan, Setu, South Tangerang, who attempted to intervene in the conflict between boarding house residents and local residents which resulted in injury, on Monday (6/5/2024).

His efforts to break up and reconcile the fight resulted in Farhan being accused of being part of a boarding student association.

After successfully breaking up the RT administrators and other residents, one of the local youths who had joined in the gang went home and returned to the location carrying a knife. Farhan was attacked and suffered minor head injuries.

Also read: Commotion in South Tangerang and SARA Issues in the Media that Worry Residents

The Special Staff of the Minister of Religious Affairs for Media and Public Communication, Wibowo Prasetyo, appreciates Farhan's bravery in preventing the act of bullying towards a Catholic female student during the disturbance in Pamulang.

According to Wibowo, Farhan's actions are a form of bravery in rejecting violence. "Farhan's action deserves appreciation. Each of us should reject acts of violence and prioritize anti-violence. This is a manifestation of a moderate attitude," said Wibowo in his official statement on the Ministry of Religion's website on Thursday (9/5/2024).

KOMPAS/AGUIDO ADRI

The police, residents, and tenants of the boarding house in RT 007 RW 002, Poncol Village, Babakan Sub-district, Setu District, South Tangerang City, on Monday (6/5/2024) afternoon, appeared to be mingling together.

According to Wibowo, the issue of religion should be resolved through dialogue, not violence, let alone mobbing. If discussed well, Wibowo is confident that a joint solution to the existing problems can be found.

"Farhan can serve as an example for all of us about universal friendship, a friendship that is not limited by religious barriers. Farhan reminds us of the importance of rejecting violence and prioritizing dialogue," he said.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs continues to strengthen religious moderation. There are four indicators of strengthening, one of which is anti-violence. The other three indicators are national commitment, tolerance, and friendly to tradition.

Mayor of South Tangerang Benyamin Davnie said that acts of violence or clashes between residents and students in RT 007 RW 002, Kampung Poncol, should not have happened if all parties prioritized dialogue with a cool heart and head. and respect each other.

Although it is regretful that there were clashes and disbandment towards a group of students who were praying, moving forward, all parties must learn from this and embrace each other to maintain harmony.

KOMPAS/NELI TRIANA

Mayor of South Tangerang Benyamin Davnie

Communication between residents and anyone who lives in Tangerang Selatan must be strengthened. Therefore, according to Benyamin, village officials from RT and RW should often visit in order to understand the social and cultural values of the community.

"There has been handling of the residents to calm the situation. Tangerang Selatan is very conducive and harmonious in terms of religious and community life. We prioritize harmony and mutual respect," said Benyamin when contacted on Thursday evening, May 9, 2024.

We have the right and are obliged to fight for freedom of worship without violence.

According to Benyamin, harmony has already been established through the involvement of religious youth organizations, especially during important days like Christmas and Eid al-Fitr. This not only serves as a basic foundation that needs to be maintained, but also serves as a reflection and guide for all groups to continue embracing each other.

"There is no place for intolerance in Tangerang Selatan because it will face the law. There is nothing to question about it. This is Indonesia," he said.

KOMPAS/AGUIDO ADRI

A number of police officers are guarding around a boarding house in RT 007 RW 002, Kampung Poncol, Babakan Village, Setu Sub District, South Tangerang City on Monday (5/6/2024) afternoon.

Director General of Catholic Guidance at the Ministry of Religion, Suparman, said that the South Tangerang City Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB), the head priest of Santo Barnabas Parish, and representatives of cross-regional organizations, had sat together and reached an agreement. to create peace.

"I urge the Catholic community to continue maintaining peace, a spirit of tolerance, and harmony among people of different faiths. The Catholic community is expected to be wise and cautious, not provoked, and not provoked in responding to this event," said Suparman in his official statement.

Human rights

The friction that occurred in Poncol Village became the concern of the Central Management of the Indonesian Catholic Scholars Association (PP ISKA).

The Chairman of the Presidium PP ISKA, Luky A Yusgiantoro, appreciates the police for arresting four perpetrators who allegedly beat and tried to stop the Rosario prayer of a Pamulang University (Unpam) student.

"This should serve as a critical reminder for all elements of the nation to not act arbitrarily towards other religious communities who are performing their worship," Luky stated.

KOMPAS

The police have arrested and identified four men, the local neighborhood RT chairman D (53), L (30), S (36), and A (26), as suspects in the disruption of a joint prayer event called Rosario by local residents and a group of young men in Kampung Poncol, South Tangerang.

Luky asserts that religious activities are the most fundamental human rights, protected by laws and the constitution of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. Therefore, no one is allowed to act outside the legal corridor, let alone provoke and hinder those fundamental human rights.

"We have the right and obligation to fight for religious freedom without violence. Because every form of violence, physical fighting, will never completely solve the problem, and more often leave long-lasting hatred and animosity. Especially if it results in loss of life," he said.

He hopes that in the future, if cases of local residents being banned occur again, community leaders can act as fair mediators. Local figures or neighborhood officials, local government officials, can be the drivers for dialogue.

"Leaders or the public try to document these moments of dialogue if they are still persistent. This is to be used as evidence at a later date or for publication. "Because of today's conditions, no viral no justice," he said.

Luky also hopes for a stronger role of community and religious leaders, especially in conveying messages of unity in preserving national values amidst differences.

KOMPAS/AGUIDO ADRI

The activities of residents and occupants of boarding houses in RT 007 RW 002, Kampung Poncol, Babakan Village, Setu District, South Tangerang City, on Monday (6/5/2024) afternoon, appeared to be conducive.

The Presidium of the PP ISKA MM Dialogue on Inter-Religious and Belief in One Almighty God, Restu Hapsari, stated and urged the government to consistently reaffirm national values.

"ISKA urges the government to consistently reinforce national values. The government should be anticipative by involving community and religious leaders, societal organizations, as well as the general public to continuously educate about interfaith tolerance. If there are intolerant actors, heavy sanctions should be imposed," said Restu.

Also read: Friction between residents in South Tangerang is not a racial issue

PP ISKA declares that they will always monitor and conduct education and study activities as well as provide assistance in efforts and steps to combat intolerance in society.

A joint commitment is needed from all parties to always acknowledge and respect the ways of worship and forms of faith of various religions and beliefs.

"This difference is actually the richness of the Indonesian civilization," said Restu.