embracing diversity and cherishing tradition: Indonesia and Bali, a strange marriage

I'm puzzled and happy at the same time. Indonesia is a multi-culture country, and although most of its inhabitants are muslim, other religions are not only allowed but have national status.

Take a look at the calendar of national holidays in Indonesia (the whole country):

Holidays in 2014

Schedule of Indonesian National Holidays Announced for 2014

(8/25/2013)

 

National holidays set by the government for 2014 have increased by one day over 2013, totaling 15 days due to the addition of May Day. Shared public holidays, introduced by the government to create long holiday weekends, will total 4 in 2014.

 

In announcing the official holidays for 2014 theCoordinating Minister for the People’s Welfare, Agung Laksono, set the following schedule of official holiday on Wednesday, August 21, 2013.

 

Official National Holidays for 2014
 

January 1, 2014	New Years Day 2014
January 14, 2014	Birth date of the Prophet Muhammad
January 31, 2014	Chinese New Year (Imlek 2565)
March 31, 2014	"Nyepi" Bali Hindu New Year (Saka 1936)
April 18, 2014	Good Friday
May 1, 2014	International Labor Day – May Day
May 15, 10214	Buddhist Holy Day of Waisak 2558
May 27, 2014	Ascension Day of the Prophet Muhammad
July 28-29, 2014	Ascension Day of Jesus Christ
May 29, 2014	Lebaran – Hari Raya Idul Fitri 1435 Hijirah
July 28-29, 2014	Shared Public Holidays
July 30-31, 2014	Lebaran – Hari Raya Idul Fitri 1435 Hijirah
August 17, 2014	Indonesian Independence Day
October 5, 2014	Idul Adha 1435 Hijirah
October 25, 2014	Islamic New Year 1436 Jijirah
December 25, 2014	Christmas Day
December 26, 2014	Shared Public Holiday

One can see that - although the majority of national holidays have a muslim background - the other groups in Indonesia also get national recognition. This is something to admire.

However, in the case of Bali, I wonder what is going on. Bali was a Hindu island (actually, the Hindus ran away from muslim Indonesia to build a Hindu society in Bali), but rapidely in our days there is a substantial Muslim immigration in Bali. Is this a good thing? I'm puzzled.

I have a soulbrother in Bali, let's call him mr. W, he's Hindu. He's a permanent resident in Bali. He struggles regularely with his Muslim neighbours. They show absolutely no respect for his Hindu belief and traditions. He reacts against it.

I have a very dear friend in Bali, let's call him mr. D, he's muslim. He's a temporary resident in Bali. I think he's trying to keep his muslim traditions alive in the Hindu society.

I see mosques building here and there in Bali. They install loudspeakers that fill the air with their religion. Louder then my ears tolerate.

This is a weird evolution. On the one hand, I want my very dear friend, mr. D., to be in Bali, where he's happy, and where he contributes to the economy of the island. At the same time, I want my soulbrother, mr. W., to be respected in his Hindu belief and in the conservation of Bali as a Hindu island.

I know that the cast of the priests (the first cast in Bali) is concerned about the balance of religions on the island; it's a regular point of discussion. Obviously, they think that the balance is not yet disturbed. Let's hope the priests look at the topic very closely, and that they take whatever measure that is needed. One wouldn't want Bali to become mainstream Indonesian. It would rip the soul out of the inhabitants of the island. Diversity is nice, but authenticy is nicer.

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