Jakarta – Four church organizations in Bekasi, West Java, have named Bekasi Mayor Rahmat Effendi and Deputy Mayor Ahmad Syaikhu patrons of religious tolerance.

"The mayor and deputy mayor of Bekasi are leaders who have shown commitment and consistency in growing pluralism and peace and campaigning for the spirit of religious tolerance in the city," the Bekasi chair for joint Christmas celebrations, Hotman Pane, said on Sunday, as quoted by news agency Antara.

The honorable mention was made by the Bekasi chapter of the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI), the Indonesian Pentacostal churches, the Indonesian Communion of Churches and Evangelist Institutions and the Bekasi Catholic decanate during the joint Christmas celebrations at the Chandrabaga sports hall in South Bekasi on Saturday.

The church leaders lauded the Bekasi mayoralty for having established interreligious councils to promote interreligious harmony. Rahmat Effendi, who took office in 2010, has established interreligious councils in 56 subdistricts and 12 districts.

"As a city leader, I will uphold security and order in the city... Anyone, regardless of religions or race, can use public facilities in Bekasi city as long as they follow the rules and regulations," he said.

"Every citizen has the same dignity before the law. All are free, including to perform their religious activities," he said. (dmr)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/01/16/bekasi-mayor-named-patron-of-religious-tolerance.html