Hinduism Millennial: Muslims Allowed to Use Balinese Names

PPIM.UINJKT.AC.ID – “In Buleleng [Bali], Muslims can name their children with Balinese names,” said Ida Ayu Prasasti, a young Hinduism follower.

Sasti, of which she is usually called, told audience about the daily life of Muslim and Hinduism communities in Pegayaman Village, Bali. She spoke in a virtual seminar series of #ModerasiBeragama (Religious Moderation) themed “Interfaith Millennials Talking about Religious Moderation”.

The seminar, held on Friday (24/7), was organized by the Center for the Study of Islam and Society (PPIM) of the Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) Jakarta through Convey Indonesia program.

A master graduate from the School of Government and Public Policy, Sasti also shared her experiences living in a diverse environment, where she had neighbours and friends who were Muslims, Christians and Confucians. She even went to a Christian school.

Citing a survey by the PPIM in 2017, Sasti said it was disappointing to know that many young people preferred to seek knowledge about religious understandings from the internet. She, then, mentioned important points to note in spreading tolerance – communication, education, participation and collaboration among interfaith groups. She called them as “positive curiosity” to teach millennials about tolerance.

Sasti said that people should not be ignorant towards harmony and that they would not reach a calm, happy life if they missed even one of the points. “Tri Hita Karana. That means we really believe that harmony is an important aspect to reach a happy life. There should be harmony with God, with other human beings and with nature,” Sasti said.

Besides Sasti, the discussion that was moderated by Convey Indonesia Team Leader Jamhari Makruf also presented several other young figures from different religious backgrounds, such as Fernanda Ambar Pratiwi (a Catholic nun), Meilan Rahayu Putri (Head of Indonesian Konghucu Youth, Bogor chapter), Yerry Pattinasarany (a Protestant Pastor), Anes Dwi Prasetya from HIKMAHBUDI, and Fikri Fahrul Faiz from Convey Indonesia.

Writer: Meitha Dzuharia
Editor: M. Nida Fadlan