Religious Intolerance Survey: Disturbing Results
Indonesia is set to enjoy the benefits of a “demographic bonus:
Reject Radicalism
– a large productive population – until 2030, but it has its work cut out to prevent radicalism and intolerance from spreading among its young people. If the government fails with this project, it is feared that the much-hyped bonus can quickly turn into a huge disadvantage. Ubaid Matraji, a coordinator for the Network for Indonesian Education Watch (JPPI), said a survey released by Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University’s Center for the Study of Islam and Society (PPIM) showed intolerance and radicalism remain serious threats for Indonesia’s youth. The respondents for the survey were Muslim teachers and students. Results showed that around 63 percent of the Muslim teachers and 57 percent of the Muslim students were intolerant of other religions. Ubaid said if the government fails to pay serious attention to the problems of intolerance and radicalism, Indonesia can soon say goodbye to its demographic bonus. “Worse than intolerance, the survey also showed nearly half of the Muslim teachers have opinions that can be considered as radical,” Ubaid told Suara Pembaruan, Jakarta Globe’s sister publication. (Jakarta Globe)