Saudi King's Vacation To Bali Reflects Tolerance

KUTA, Bali, March 7 (Antara) - Some local people living in Nusa Dua, Bali, the place where Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud stays for vacation, are happy and welcome his visit. The visit with private agenda has a meaning of tolerance which may be food for thought for the Indonesian people to better reinforce such attitudes in their social life. Ari Wibisono, 18, said that he lauded the visit of the king along with his 1,500 delegates to Bali. According to the senior high school student, King Salman's agenda to stay for a six-day holiday in Bali was quite surprising considering there had never been one of a great figure from Islamic countries visiting Bali before. Meanwhile, Agus, a worshiper of Ibnu Batutah Mosque in the Puja Mandala worship center of Nusa Dua, assessed that King Salman's choice to visit Bali, which most of the population embrace Hinduism, is a proof that Islam is not anti to other faiths. "Such a fact can obviously dismiss the notion that Islam is a violent religion which is likely to against other religions," he said. On the other hand, the attitude of Balinese people who warmly welcome the thousands of Arab delegates also reflects the values of tolerance the Hindus people have in their hearts. A similar comment is also given by Lilis Dewanto, one of the member of Maria Bunda Segala Bangsa Catholic church congregation who expects that the Saudi King will bring peace and positive influence for the local people of Bali. "I hope the king would consider to visit this worship center for interfaith communities, so he can see the practices of tolerance in our daily life," the woman from Flores, East Nusa Tenggara who has been living in Bali for 20 years, noted. Tolerance and high acceptance shown by Balinese people is exemplary. It even inspires one of the Chatolic priests, Father Evensius Dewantoro Pr, to greet the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques using Arab language. The priest who greeted King Salman with a line of "ahlan wa sahlan ya malik", shortly after he landed at the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport on Saturday, said by the visit the Saudi King would eager to accept, be related to, and embrace people from different backgrounds and religions. "Looking to his smile and friendly gestures, the king brings the calm of Islam," Father Evensius said. In the midst of chaotic political situation in Indonesia due to a narrow view from certain group against another group, the visit of King Salman actually raises a wider image that diversity is something really useful in building a nation. -- Tolerance Symbol in Bali Tolerance is fully reflected in the buildings of Puja Mandala complex of houses of worship in Nusa Dua. Puja Mandala, which in Sanskrit means "a place to worship", was built on a three-hectare area of which two third was earmarked for the construction of houses of worship for five different religions. The five houses of worship standing in a row are Ibnu Batutah Mosque, Catholic church Maria Bunda Segala Bangsa, Buddha Guna vihara Protestant church Jemaat Bukit Doa, and Jagat Natha temple. The complex whose construction began in mid 90s, is still actively used by local people living in Nusa Dua and its surrounding areas. Ibnu Batutah mosque for example, is able to accommodate as many as 5,000 worshippers in Friday prayers. The number can be increased during the Eid prayer. Meanwhile the Catholic church of Maria Bunda Segala Bangsa has 3,100 members of congregation from 1,300 families who live in Jimbaran, Ungasan, Mumbul, Taman Griya, and the surroundings. Values of tolerance can be clearly seen when those interfaith communities having simultaneously religious activities. For example the preparation for the Good Friday mass, which is included in the series of Paschal Triduum, will wait until the Muslims finish performing Friday prayer in the mosque which is located adjacent to the Catholic church. Similarly during the celebration of Nyepi, if it falls on a Friday or Sunday then the Muslims and Catholics will agree to move their prayer activities in other location or change the day for the mass to honor the holy day of the Hindus. Tolerance and high acceptance is clearly reflected in the life of various religious believers who pay the respects to their Gods in Puja Mandala complex and also in the rest of Bali. Therefore, it is not wrong if Bali is famously worldwide as main tourists attraction not only for its arts, culture, natural beauty, but also for its diversity and tolerance in accordance with the nation's slogan of "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" which means unity in diversity of different backgrounds in Indonesia.