1/23/2025 Indonesia (International Christian Concern) — Indonesian Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar recently announced a new program called the “Curriculum of Love,” a new guideline for religion teachers that promotes tolerance and respect of different religions.
Nasaruddin made the announcement during the DKI Provincial Government’s Christmas event at Convention Ancol, North Jakarta, on Jan. 17.
“Currently, many religious teachers teach that their religion is the most correct, while others are considered wrong or heretical,” he said. “What would happen if children were taught hatred in a very pluralistic country like Indonesia?”
Nasaruddin added that the goal of the curriculum is to teach the values of love and tolerance from an early age. Discussions of religion too often lead to conflict, he said, and even hatred toward other groups. Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population. Christians, who account for about 13% of the country’s population, endure persecution from Islamic family members and members of the community, as well as Islamic extremists. However, there are signs that the country is becoming more tolerant toward minority religions, such as Christianity.
“True tolerance is how to instill love between fellow human beings,” Nasaruddin said. “We are all human beings, and we are all citizens of Indonesia. Don’t let hatred be instilled through the culture of education; it is very dangerous.”
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