UNAIR NEWS – Student Executive Board (BEM) of Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) Universitas Airlangga in collaboration with GAGAS Nusantara held a national seminar on Tolerance in Religion for Indonesian Diversity and Unity, Monday, April 3. The event was held in Fadjar Notonagoro Hall and attended by 400 participants from students to the public.
The seminar invited some speakers, Mayor of Surabaya Dr. (H.C) Ir. Tri Rismaharini, M.T, Vice Rector III UNAIR Prof. Mochammad Amin Alamsjah, Ir., M.Si., Ph.D., Head of PCNU Surabaya, M. Iqbal, S.I.K., M.H., Head of PGIW Jatim Greja Genta Kasih Indonesia Pdt.Simon Filantropi, and Head of Banser Jatim Gus Abid Umar Fahriq.
Dean FEB Prof. Dr. Dian Agustia, SE., M.Si., Ak in her speech invited the participants to remember the long struggle of Indonesia.
“Indonesian diversity is a world wonder. We should preserve and maintain it,” said Prof Dian.
Prof. Amin as the first keynote speaker said that religious tolerance has been implemented since the Prophet Muhammad period.
“Religious tolerance has been implemented in Rasullullah’s time and written in Medina Charter. Disunity is caused by injustice of leaders. Leaders here are all Indonesian citizens,” he said.
As the second keynote speaker, Risma said that diversity should not cause disunity as this nation is united by those differences.
“God makes his creation different. And that’s the beauty. We are one great nation. Therefore, there should not be disunity because of individual or group differences,” she stated.
In this occasion, Risma encouraged the participants to stop bringing this up. “Stop taling about differences, but let’s talk about similarities,” Risma said.
Deputy of BEM FEB R. Dimas Bagas Herlambang explained that the idea of this seminar was inspired by movements which try to harm Indonesia’s diversity.
“Because of those movements to disrupt Indonesian diversity, we as the agents of change must open their eyes to the current condition,” he said. (*)
Author : Akhmad Janni
Editor : Binti Q. Masruroh
