Fachrul Sidiq, Jakarta – Indonesia's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) declared that religious tolerance weakened in 2016, marred by discriminatory acts against followers of different religions.

Religious intolerance has taken its toll on the country this year because of intolerant acts committed by hardliner groups that violate the freedom of people to practice their religious beliefs, said NU executive council (PBNU) chairman Said Aqil Siraj.

He gave an example of intolerant acts, like the one in Bandung, where the Reformed Injili Indonesia Church canceled a Christmas service after a protest by dozens of Islamic group members. Other acts of religious intolerance include attacks against followers of Ahmadiyah and Shi'a.

"These acts of religious intolerance could deteriorate the country's commitment to Bhineka Tunggal Ika [Unity in Diversity]," he said during the organization's year-end reflection at its headquarters in Jakarta on Friday.

The growing intolerant acts contravene the true value of religions and could likely lead to extremism and radicalism, the NU chairman said, adding that the government should take firm action to prevent intolerance from growing.

"Without strong law enforcement, the state will bow down to pressure from intolerant groups that use force to impose their own agendas," he said. (bbn)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/12/30/religious-tolerance-weakens-in-2016-nu.html