Muslims and Christians of Jayapura Reach Agreement on Minaret Case
Jayapura, MINA – Efforts to resolve the problems related to the demolition demands of the al-Aqsa Mosque tower, Sentani, Jayapura, Papua Province has already done. On Monday, the coordination meeting of harmony among religious believers of Jayapura Regency which were attended by all stakeholders and community elements has reached an agreement.
Located in Jayapura regent’s office, the meeting resulted in a team working to solve the problems between the Church Fellowship in Jayapura District (PGGJ) with the construction committee of al-Aqsa Mosque, Sentani.
“My message to all citizens, whether Muslims and Christians to refrain, not being provoked by SARA issues,” said Chairman of the Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB) of Jayapura District, Reverend Hosea Taudufu as reported by Republika.
FKUB, according to Pastor Hosea, appealed to all people in Jayapura District to refrain because the problem can only be solved by joint deliberation. He informed, the coordination meeting of harmony among religious believers was attended by representatives of Papua Provincial Government, District Government (Jayapura), Papua People’s Assembly (MRP), and FKUB Papua Province and Jayapura District.
The meeting also attended by representative of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) of Papua Province, Kemenag Jayapura, PGGJ, Indonesian Ulema Councul (MUI) Papua Province and Jayapura District, Indonesian Soldiers (TNI), and National Police (Polri).
During the meeting, all parties listened to the PGGJ statement that has been featured in social media as well as the statement MUI Papua in response to the PGGJ statement. The working team which was formed consists of the head of FKUB Kabupaten Jayapura, the head of MUI of Papua Province, the chairman of PGGJ, Reverend Albert Yoku as community leader, and Toni Wanggai as member of MRP.
Furthermore, the working team will hold a coordination meeting with the board of Masjid al-Aqsa. “Our task is to coordinate with the administrators of al-Aqsa Mosque,” said Reverend Hosea.
Later, the results of a meeting with al-Aqsa Mosque board will be submitted to Jayapura Regency, Papua Province, and the minister of religion in Jakarta. The team will find the best way by joint deliberation.
“Today, we have reconciled, it is good, there is no conflict between Muslims and Christians, we will talk to the mosque officials.” In accordance with the request of the forum, the minaret may be reduced because there is also being an access way of plane, “he said.
He also conveyed, after the working team was formed, it will be a follow-up meeting which is planned to be held from Wednesday (21/3). “Our work schedule starts on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, hopefully all can accept the decision which is resulted through joint deliberation,” he said.
He hopes that Muslims who build the mosque can accept the decision. Similarly, Christians should receive input from Muslim brothers.
Previously, the PGGJ demanded that the al-Aqsa Mosque tower must be demolished because it is higher than the church building that has been stood in the area. PGGJ General Chairman Reverend Robbi Depondoye requested the demolition be done no later than March 31, 2018 or 14 days after the official demands were announced.
Related to this issue, the Police appealed to religious followers in Jayapura to prioritize dialogue so that conditions do not become murky.” Dialogue can be done through FKUB,” said Police Information Bureau Chief Brigadier General Police Mohammad Iqbal. In addition, the district government should also be able to bridge the dialogue between religious believers.
Minister of Religious Affairs (Menag) Lukman Hakim Saifuddin through a press release hopes that this problem can be solved by deliberation. He supports the plans of religious leaders to hold productive dialogue with stakeholders. (L/P2/RS5)
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
