PALANGKARAYA BECOMES A PRIORITY FOR RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENT; RELIGIOUS MODERATION VILLAGE PROCLAIMS

PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan The Director General of Christian Community Guidance, Jeane Marie Tulung, set Palangkaraya as one of the 10 priority areas for religious development. This was conveyed by Achmad Shahid, Chairman of the Implementing Unit of the Doctoral Programme Abroad and Foreign Cooperation Directorate General of Christian Guidance, which was sent by the director general to absorb the views and aspirations of the local community. During his visit, Achmad Shahid said, "In  these 10 priority areas, religious services, religious education, and religion will be developed and accelerated.

The village of religious moderation is the main focus, in accordance with the serious attention of the Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, and the Director General of Christian Guidance, Jeane Marie Tulung.” One of the realisations of this development is the construction of a religious moderation village in Lawang Kajang Village, Timpah District, Kapuas Regency. The village is inhabited by a variety of religious people who live side by side in peace and harmony. Achmad Shahid said that the director general's mother had prioritised the construction of churches in this village in the 2024 fiscal year and asked the head of the Christian Pemimas to accompany the preparation of her proposal. The Kapuas Regency Regent has also established Lawang Kajang village as a harmony-conscious village, opening up wider cooperation opportunities between the Directorate General of Christian Guidance, the Kapuas Regency government, and Iakn Palangkaraya. The socialisation plan of the religious moderation village will be followed by training on strengthening religious moderation and possible cooperation with various parties, including the TNI and Polri. The socialisation of religious moderation village was attended by Dr. Telhalia, M.Th., Rector of Iakn Palangkaraya, Dr. Tirta Susila, M.Th., Vice Rector 2, Dr. Prasetiawati, M.Th., Dean of FKIPK, Camat Timpah Arjono, representing Kapuas Regent, head of Mimi Christian Pemimas, M.Th., Rev. Dr. Baruba Rajagukguk, head of FKUB, Timpah Police Chief, Danramil Timpah, head of Lawang Kajang village, heads of surrounding villages, traditional leaders, interfaith communities, and students of Iakn Palangka Raya with the staff of the Director General of Christian Guidance, Silvia Panjaitan. The development of this religious moderation village is an important part of the government's efforts to ensure harmony among religious communities in Indonesia, especially in Central Kalimantan.