Cultural diversity is often referred to as a problem and cause conflict to lead to murder and vandalism. In fact every religion teaches to love, cherish each other, and uphold tolerance. In Islam, based on Holy Quran Surah. Al-Hujurah 13: O men! Behold, We have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, God is all-knowing, all-aware. In the holy bible Matthew 22:39 “Love your neighbor as yourself”. In Hindu based on Holy Weda the concept is called Tri Hita Karana: always devoted to Sang Hyang Widdhi (God), live in harmony with the natural environment, and live in harmony with fellow human beings. Living tolerant without seeing: race, religion etc. in relationship with mankind Atharvaveda VII.52.1: Samjnanam nah svebhih, Samjnanam aranebhih, Samjnanam asvina yunam, ihasmasu ni ‘acchalam. In Buddha, Digha Nikaya I:3, Upali Sutta 16-17 and many other (Setiawan et al., 2021). From other religion must be teaching about love and giving a tolerant even with other people which have different religion. But in the fact, there’re so many conflict happen that cause of diversity (prejudice) or religion quibble.
The history has recorded many protracted conflicts, interethnic, interreligious, and tribal. World conflicts that have occurred include: Palestine & Israel conflict, Indonesia-Malaysia, China-Japan, North Korea-Republic of South Korea, Pakistan and India. On the other hand, these conflicts have occurred in the internal Indonesia: Sampit tragedy, conflict of Maluku, 1998 tragedy (ethnic Chinese-local people). It is true, the conflict is not solely due to the difference in ethnicity, religion, and race. However, in the above case is a manifestation of how the philosophy of Diversity (Bhineka Tunggal Ika) is not applied or have been betrayed.
Long ago before Indonesia was established and becoming independent as a nation, Bhineka Tunggal Ika has been applied and the Pancasila without a name has become ideology, and implemented a massively started in Majapahid Empire. Indonesia's diverse society composed of tribes, languages, and religions as well. Motto of Bhineka Tunggal Ika shows the diversity characteristic of the Indonesian nation is precisely because of that difference, then Indonesia is one, and one for Indonesia (Mattulada, 1985). Principle of pluralism and multicultural inside Unity in Diversity is described below:
Fig. 1. Concept of Bhineka Tunggal Ika
Education to about the meaning and implementation of Bhineka Tunggal Ika is a mandatory. With the concept of pluralism, the tolerance will remain intact. Dr. KH. Nuril Arifin, MBA explained the concept of Bhineka Tunggak Ika is the initial concept of birth of Pancasila that make Indonesia as a pluralistic country based on Pancasila than as an Islamic state. Examples can be found is a conflict in the Middle East, the Middle East as a Muslim-majority country and the ideology instead prolonged conflict. Why does this happen? Because he considered the concept of pluralism is a concept that is not quite right so that when capitalist coming over by all the way to get in, then the conflict will occur and the state could be destroyed because it is easily be played. Compared with Indonesia with the principles of pluralism, Gus Nuril explain it will be very difficult to break up Indonesia and physically attacked Indonesia because Indonesia is the principle of Bhineka Tunggal Ika and Pancasila.
The concept of peace and tolerance promoted by Bhineka Tunggal Ika is a reflection of the concept of each religion so that it becomes a very powerful ideology. Many tribes, races, religions coexist peacefully in Indonesia, it is proving Bhineka Tunggal Ika is an ideal concept for Indonesia.
What if there is a conflict ???
The resolution of the conflict based on the principle of Bhineka Tunggal Ika is becoming so important, we can learn how Bhineka Tunggal Ika is looking at a difference and plurality. Conflict resolutions based on Galtung (2000) Consist of three steps: peacekeeping, peacemaking, and peacebuilding. Conflict resolution of Bhineka Tunggal Ika is familial, the concept accommodates pluralistic, consensus becomes effective ways to resolve conflict.
Reference:
Johan Galtung and Carl G. Jacobsen. 2000. Searching for Peace: The Road to TRANSCEND. London: Pluto Press.
Mattulada. 1985. LATOA. Yogyakarta: Gadjah Mada University Press
Setiawan, C. et al. 2021. Toleransi dan Perkauman: Keberagaman dalam Perspektif Agama-Agama dn Etnis-Etnis. Perkumpulan Lentera Timur.
Wilodati. ____. Kesadaran Masyarakat Majemuk dan Kebhineka Tunggal Ikaa-an Kebudayaan di Indonesia. MKDU FPIPS UPI
This article is publish regarding the discussion before APUFY (Asia-Pacific Urban Youth Assembly) 2021 Jakarta on October, 17th-18th.
