HRC in Indonesia: 

HRC as a Strategy and Practice to Promote Tolerance and Freedom of Religion and Beliefs across Indonesia

Hendrar Prihadi

[Mayor of Semarang Municipal Government] 

The Community of Semarang City are very famous for the harmony between religious people. This makes the city of Semarang which is the capital of the province famous for its tolerance. The plurality of the people of Semarang City can be seen from the diversity of religions, cultures and ethnicities that exist in the City of Semarang. The existence of cultural and religious acculturation poses a risk of interaction between religious communities. The problems that arise as a result of this interaction need to be considered by the Semarang City Government so as not to cause divisions between religions. The role of religious leaders and community leaders is required to participate in solving this problem. To accommodate various interests related to inter-religious relations as well as inter-ethnic and inter-religious community leaders, the Semarang City Government facilitates interfaith forums to support work programs aimed at harmonization between religious communities. Apart from the efforts of the government and religious leaders, the community also has a key role to play in maintaining this harmony.