Indonesia’s Religious Affairs Minister Urges Preachers to Promote Unity, Not Division

BENGKULU, Indonesia — Indonesia’s minister of religious affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, warned on Friday that religious preaching must serve as a force for unity rather than a vehicle for sowing hatred, underscoring concerns about the misuse of religious narratives in one of the world’s most diverse nations.

Speaking at a large religious gathering at the Baitul Izzah Mosque in Bengkulu, Mr. Nasaruddin said that sermons or teachings that foster animosity toward followers of other faiths run counter to Indonesia’s pluralistic identity.

“In a society as diverse as Indonesia, religious messages should strengthen cohesion, not deepen divisions,” he said.

His remarks come amid ongoing efforts by the government to reinforce religious moderation and social harmony in a country of more than 280 million people, where Islam is the majority faith but multiple religions and belief systems coexist under state recognition.

Mr. Nasaruddin cautioned that, often unintentionally, religious instruction can slip into exclusivist tones that risk alienating others. He emphasized that faith-based teachings should instead serve as a moral foundation for peaceful coexistence.

Events like the Bengkulu gathering, he added, play an important role in nurturing unity across communities.

The minister also encouraged Muslims to engage in muhasabah, or self-reflection, as a means of deepening spiritual awareness. He outlined five stages of religious commitment, ranging from nominal adherence to a state of profound devotion characterized by unconditional love for God.

His message aligns with broader initiatives by Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs to institutionalize values of tolerance. Among them is the recently launched “Love-Based Curriculum,” introduced in April 2026, which aims to instill empathy, compassion and respect for diversity in religious education across schools and Islamic boarding institutions.

Government data suggests these efforts may be yielding results. The Religious Harmony Index reached 77.89 in 2025, its highest level since the survey began a decade earlier, reflecting gradual improvements in interfaith relations.

Indonesia’s national philosophy, Pancasila, and its motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika — “Unity in Diversity” — remain central to maintaining social balance in a country marked by ethnic, cultural and religious complexity.

A prominent Islamic scholar and long-time advocate of interfaith dialogue, Mr. Nasaruddin has consistently promoted an inclusive understanding of religion. On Friday, he reiterated that all faiths ultimately teach compassion.

“The essence of religion is love and peace,” he said. “That is the message that must be preserved.” []