Indonesia’s Religious Affairs Minister Urges Faith Communities to Safeguard Morality and Unity

SIGI, Central Sulawesi — Indonesia’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, called on faith communities to play a central role in upholding public morality and strengthening national unity, underscoring religion’s enduring influence in one of the world’s most diverse societies.

Speaking at the closing of the Fifth National Easter Celebration in Sigi, Central Sulawesi, on Monday, Mr. Nasaruddin said religious adherents carry responsibilities that extend beyond their own congregations.

“Religious communities are not only accountable within their internal spheres, but also in maintaining social harmony,” he told reporters at the event, which drew thousands of Christian worshipers.

His remarks come at a time when Indonesia, a nation of more than 270 million people spanning hundreds of ethnic and religious identities, continues to navigate the challenges of pluralism amid rapid social change.

Mr. Nasaruddin emphasized that cooperation across sectors — including government institutions, lawmakers, religious leaders and civil society — remains essential to sustaining stability and progress.

He described tolerance not as passive acceptance, but as an active commitment. “Tolerance must be practiced through mutual respect, protection and collaboration,” he said, adding that differences should be embraced as part of the country’s social fabric.

Indonesia, he said, is a “shared home” built on the principles of Pancasila, the state ideology, and the 1945 Constitution. “There is no room for intolerance, discrimination or division in this house,” he said.

His message aligns with the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ ongoing push to promote what it calls “religious moderation,” a policy framework aimed at countering extremism and fostering interfaith dialogue.

Government data shows that Indonesia’s Religious Harmony Index reached 77.89 in 2025 — the highest level recorded in more than a decade — indicating what officials describe as strengthening social cohesion across religious lines.

Analysts note that such indicators, while imperfect, suggest a growing resilience in Indonesia’s pluralistic society, even as localized tensions occasionally emerge.

Mr. Nasaruddin, who also serves as the Grand Imam of Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque, has long been a prominent advocate of interfaith engagement, both domestically and abroad.

The Easter celebration in Central Sulawesi — a region once marked by sectarian conflict in the early 2000s — carried symbolic weight. The event featured religious parades, decorated vehicle processions and community outreach programs involving participants from different faith backgrounds.

Closing his remarks, Mr. Nasaruddin urged Indonesians of all religions to remain stewards of the nation’s founding values.

“Let us be guardians of light in this shared home,” he said, “preserving the ideals of Pancasila and working toward a just, peaceful and harmonious Indonesia.” []