HARDWORKING KHOFIFAH PARAWANSA BELIEVES IN WOMEN'S ROLE AS PEACE PROMOTERS by Fardah

  Jakarta, Oct 1, 2015 (Antara) - Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa, Indonesia's hardworking minister, is almost always present and caring for the people whenever any calamity strikes, whether natural or made-made, in the country.

         At a time when most Muslims were enjoying the Idul Adha (Sacrifice) holiday on Sept. 24, 2015, she decided to join the victims of sectarian violence and performed Idul Adha prayers with them in Karubaga sub-district, Tolikara District, Papua Province.

         Attended by some 600 people, the prayers went off smoothly and peacefully at the Khairul Ummah mosque at a military complex in Karubaga.

         Imam Syekh Ali Jaber led the prayers while Ustad Fadlan Garamatan delivered the sermon.

         Some 347 military and police personnel were present to ensure security during the prayer service. The Chief of the Papua Police, Brigadier General Paulus Waterpaw, and Chief of the Cenderawasih XVII Military Command, Major General S. Siburian, were also present to monitor the security arrangements.

         The new Khairul Ummah mosque is now being used after the old mosque was burnt down in a sectarian attack on July 17, 2015 when Muslims were performing Idul Fitri prayers in Tolikara. 
    A total of Rp15 billion were spent on restoring the mosque and Rp10 billion to rebuild the shops, in addition to Rp4 billion spent as operational cost.

         Funds for the restoration came from the central, provincial and district governments as well as organizations and even individuals.

         On Sept. 23, the minister officially inaugurated the new mosque and 77 new kiosks to replace the ones razed by fire in that attack.

         The shops were meant for the riot victims and other residents. She said she hoped that once the construction is completed in Tolikara, things would be better in the future.

         Minister Khofifah Parawansa, who was born in Surabaya, East Java, on May 19, 1965, hoped that religious leaders would communicate more to avoid any misunderstandings or misgivings.

         "If necessary, they can take turns to host meetings over a cup of tea. For example, this week the priest and later an ustadz (Islamic teacher) can play the host," said the minister, who was a member of the Parliament from 2004-2009.

         A total of 40 cows sent by the social affairs minister to the district head and other officials were ready to be sacrificed on the occasion of Eid al-Adha on Thursday.

         The number of the sacrificial animals this year is much larger than the five or six such cattle in the past.  The meat of the sacrificed animals was also distributed among non-Muslim residents.  
    Tolikara, which is located in Papua Province's remote area, was hardly known until the district grabbed media headlines following the July 17, 2015 sectarian incident.

         That morning, hundreds of people attacked and pelted stones at Muslims while they were performing Eid al-Fitr prayers in the open at the military office's yard in Karubaga sub-district, Tolikara district, forcing the worshippers to flee to a nearby local military office for protection. Muslims are a minority in the area.

         The mob set fires, burning down more than 50 kiosks and houses, as well as the Baitul Muttaqin mosque.

         The attack prompted the security officers to open fire at them. Some 11 perpetrators, members of the Evangelical Church in Indonesia (GIDI), were injured, while one was killed in the firing.

         However, according to the Tolikara branch of GIDI, the attackers had only burnt down the kiosks of the local Muslims and had no intention of setting fire to the mosque located in the same area.

         At least 153 Muslims were evacuated and accommodated in several tents set up at the Karubaga Military Headquarters, as their houses were destroyed in the fire.

         Following the incident, Minister Khofifah Parawansa paid a visit to Tolikara, which has a population of 140 thousand, to obtain firsthand information and to coordinate the efforts to tackle the problem.

         The Social Affairs Minister, accompanied by Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Yohana Yembise, visited the shops and the mosque that had been set afire and oversaw the condition of the evacuees in the district.

         She noted that some logistics, mainly basic supplies, had been distributed to the evacuees.

         "We ascertained that the logistic needs of the evacuees have been met," Parawansa, a former Women's Empowerment Minister, remarked.

         The minister also handed out head scarves to the refugees and met a victim, who was suffering from bullet wounds, at the Karubaga hospital.

         The minister handed over the compensation in the form of government care to the victim.

         In addition, she assigned social workers to provide treatment, especially to the children and the elderly, to overcome the trauma they suffered during the incident.

         Minister Khofifah Parawansa has frequently emphasized the crucial role played by women in promoting tolerance and interfaith harmony, in various discussions and meetings.

         "The role of women is crucial in fighting radicalism. In fact, they can play the role of peace promoters in their families and communities," Minister Parawansa stated in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sept. 28, 2015.

         In this position, women, particularly mothers, have competitive and comparative advantages, the minister remarked while officiating a training of trainers on "Early Warning of Radical Ideologies and Terrorism for Women and Youth" organized at the University of Islam in Makassar.

         She encouraged women to be proactive and play their role as the promoters of peace.

         "Women who work in markets could promote peace. Women teachers could educate the students on peace-building efforts. Women active in organizations, such as the PKK (the Family Welfare Movement), could also spread the message of peace," the minister pointed out.

         Currently, it is most important to formulate a concept to encourage women to be consistent in their efforts at promoting peace everywhere, she affirmed.

         The chairwoman of the Nahdlatul Ulama's (NU's) woman's wing also urged the women to incessantly promote tolerance and interfaith harmony in order to create a conducive atmosphere for the younger generation. ***4***
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(T.F001/A/BESSR/Bustanuddin) 01-10-2015 19:53:34