A Indonésia é o quarto maior país do mundo, e sua população é muito jovem. A idade média é cerca de uma década mais nova do que nos EUA ou na China. Metade dos indonésios tem menos de 30 anos.
E enquanto o país é mais de 80% de muçulmanos, o pluralismo e a convivência são literalmente escritos nos documentos fundadores. O princípio de pancasiladiz que as pessoas devem ser capazes de viver em harmonia, mesmo que eles praticem diferentes religiões ou venham de diferentes origens. A Indonésia é um dos países mais diversos do mundo, onde as pessoas falam centenas de línguas espalhadas por milhares de ilhas em um espaço da largura dos Estados Unidos continentais.
É claro que a coexistência nunca é frustrante. E embora a Constituição indonésia preserve a liberdade de culto, essa liberdade se limita a apenas cinco religiões prescritas. As pessoas na Indonésia suscitam medos sobre a crescente intolerância e conflito, a política de identidade e a regra da maioria superando os direitos das minorias.
Essas lutas sobre identidade, religião e etnia têm ecos das batalhas que os EUA estão lutando. Então, em uma recente viagem de relatório à Indonésia, pedimos aos jovens sobre como eles vêem sua identidade, o papel que a religião desempenha em suas vidas, o que eles esperam para o futuro e o que eles acreditam unir essa democracia plural e extensa.
Indonesia has so many religions, and I think you can feel the tolerance here. I don’t think Indonesia is becoming less tolerant — my personal opinion is [that it’s] just a few people in the media making a fuss.
In Indonesia, people are so racist. When you walk in the road, if you’re Chinese, people will stare at you. I never walk alone. We need to be careful and stay away from local people. That’s what my daddy tells me.
WEN WEN, 20, an Indonesian of Chinese descent
My parents got divorced and I followed my mom to West Java. … Then my mom passed away and my father said, ‘You’re no longer my own.’ So I moved here and met Mami. I have a new family here.
ALANSYACH, 21, a member of the LGBT community
I hope Indonesia will become an Islamic country because I believe that only Islam can give justice. If we let another ideology dominate Islam, there will only be injustice. In my opinion, people outside Islam support their own race or religion.
SIDIQ ADDAYYAM, 27, who is Muslim
As a child I wanted to be a doctor when I grew up. But I already got married so it’s too late for me to pursue my studies to be a doctor. Now I sell fried rice. But maybe my children will be doctors.
NASIHAH, 26, a food vendor
We still have a system based on the majority. It’s not about diversity, equality or justice. Those with huge numbers have huge power. If the government could have a policy that stands for minority rights it would be fine, but because the majority has power we only have harmony — not diversity.
TIA SETIYANI, 30, an activist
I had a dream of being a superhero. There was an anime superhero in Japan called Kamen Rider Black. I always wanted to be a masked rider who saved everyone. And then one day I read a book: a biography of Chinese Indonesian human rights lawyer … Yap Thiam Hien. He founded the organization where I work currently. So it’s like a childhood dream come true. I always wanted to be a human rights lawyer. This is what I want to be known as: an Indonesian who defends the right of the people despite their backgrounds.
ALLDO FELLIX J, 26, a human rights lawyer
I’m so happy and curious about the story of Borobudur. We must learn about other cultures and other opinions.
EDELWEISEIA PERMATA SARI, 24, who is Muslim and visiting Borobudur, an ancient Buddhist temple
Every day I sell this food on the boat — potato chips, Cup O’ Noodles. I also clean the boat and pray and do exercises in the morning and evening. When I was younger, my dream was to become a police officer, so [I] will take the exam to become an officer.
ALFAN ARIANSYAH, 17, who is Muslim
