Participants of the 5K Paperun Charity Fun Run wear unique costumes made of used newspapers as they gather at the starting line at the Q Big BSD City Mall in Tangerang, Banten, Sunday (22/10). The fun run, held jointly by Kompas newspaper and Sinar Mas’s Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), aimed to increase public interest in reading and writing. All proceeds from the event will be donated to national literacy.
Running contests are not always about lifestyle and health. The activity loved by city dwellers can also strengthen solidarity. Through footsteps, people can boost pluralism and spread the seed of philanthropy.
Such spirit was shown during the “Love for RI” (L4RI) running contest organized by the Indonesian Jesuit Alumni Association (AAJI) in Jakarta on Sunday (22/10) morning.
As its title suggests, the 5-kilometer run and 3-kilometer walk centered onSMA Kolese Gonzaga high school in South Jakarta, aims to invite people to show concern about tolerance and solidarity toward pluralism in Indonesia.
For that reason, even though it was organized within a Catholic education institution, the running contest did not allow social segregation under ethnic and religious differences. It was not surprising that Muslim organization GP Ansor took part in the activity.
No less than 50 members of the youth organization affiliated with Nahdlatul Ulama, the biggest Muslim organization in the country, helped to organize the event. Young men dressed in green GP Ansor uniforms stood guard along the route.
They ensured those that took part in L4RI, regardless of their ethnic or religious background, reached the finish line. National Santri Day, which falls on Oct. 22, was celebrated differently.
They mixed with other participants from Greater Jakarta. “GP Ansor’s activity is not always about religion. It is also about humanity and being Indonesian. We are here to take care of pluralism. This is an obligation because the NKRI [Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia] belongs to us all,” South Jakarta GP Ansor chairman Sulton Mu’minah said.
Humanity and solidarity could be seen at the event. During the contest, some participants helped their disabled relatives or friends to the finish line.
“This event was held due to the AAJI’s concerns over the social conditions of the people where they are divided [after the Jakarta gubernatorial elections]. That’s why the AAJI made the usual fundraising event into the running contest,” said Felix Nola, chairman of the organizing committee.
In some developed countries like Japan and Sweden, running contests are often made into a campaign to voice social issues such as opposition against discrimination. Such spirit was seen during the2017BrusselsMarathon in early October.
“We intentionally chose this race as a campaign for pluralism. This is the most effective activity to gather people. We want people to know tolerance exists,” said Datuk Sweida, chairman of the AAJI.
Alumni of SMA Kolese De Britto high school in Yogyakarta said it was solid evidence of inter-religion tolerance, which exists in society.
“Tolerance is not a new thing. It is regretful that [religious] issues divide the people,” said Dermawan Pribadi, an L4RI participant and graduate of SMA Gonzaga.
Tree planting
Other running competitions also have a social mission, such as “Paperun Charity Fun Run 5K” in Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD), Tangerang yesterday morning. The event, held by Kompas and Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) Sinar Mas, aimed to boost literacy and reading habits.
The desire to be involved in philanthropic activities has driven Slamet Teng, 29, to spend his Sunday participating in Paperun. He wore a unique costume, a graduation dress made of newspapers.
“I like the theme that promotes writing and reading. Besides, this event also aims to collect donations, not make a profit. I can do sport and give at the same time,” said Slamet, who donated his book about psychology.
All proceeds from the registration fee, Rp 120 million, will be donated in the form of books to some independent libraries in several regions. The competition saw 1,856 participants.
Kompas-Gramedia corporate communication manager Saiful Bahri said his office had sent 53 packages of books since May to literacy activists in 24 provinces across the country.
“There are many race events. We think there are goals and values to achieve together. The most important thing in this event is to invite people to donate books across the country,” said Sinar Mas corporate communication manager Eka Wijayanti.
As part of the effort to improve reading habits, Kompas and AAP Sinar Mas previously organized a high school wall magazine competition in four cities: Palembang, Bandung, Semarang and Surabaya. The winning school received 150 trees to plant around the school.
Alam Raga, 26, another Paperun participant, said taking part in organized runs is much more fun than running alone, because he and his friends can share with each other.
