Lesson in religious tolerance

All for co-existence: Indonesian children attending a Christmas Eve mass at the Immanuel Church in Jakarta. Two Islamic organisations took it upon themselves to deploy volunteers to secure Christmas and New Year celebrations across the country. — EPA

NOT only Indonesia, but also South-East Asia, received a religious vote of confidence when the archipelagic nation’s two most influential Islamic organisations decided to deploy volunteers to enhance security during Christmas.

Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) are household names which represent a wide spectrum of pious Muslims comfortable with Indonesia’s religious diversity. The organisations have provided an important backdrop of historical continuity and assurance for the future during often volatile developments.