In Indonesia, religions in the fight against global warming
Climate activists demonstrate in Jakarta on September 26, 2021. REUTERS - AJENG DINAR ULFIANA
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1 min
With islands that have already disappeared under water and increasingly frequent meteorological disasters, the Indonesian archipelago is at the forefront of global warming.
In this country which has six official religions, Muslim and Christian organizations have united to put pressure on the government before COP26 and encourage the faithful to get involved in protecting the environment.
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With our correspondent in Kuala Lumpur,
Gabrielle Maréchaux
It is a movement which is beginning, but which is already a victim of its success, assures Hening Parlan when she recounts the rallies she helped organize in front of mosques and churches on October 17.
"A
lot of people wanted to come, but because of the Covid-19 we really had to restrict the number of people to these groups, tell them: please, don't come because we have to respect the barrier gestures
", explains- she does.
► See also: Indonesia: President Widodo and three ministers condemned for air pollution
Responsible for the environment of the women's section of the Muslim organization Muhammadiyah, which claims 50 million members in the country, Hening Parlan is convinced that ecology must be a religious and collective struggle. “
We can't stay alone in our corner, we have to get together,
” she says.
Especially since all religions in Indonesia have common universal values, where human life and the environment are to be protected. And then finally, most Indonesians go to the mosque or church at least once a week, to listen to their religious leader. And here people often trust him more than their government.
"
According to this inter-religious movement, federating religions around the environment would do three things: raise people's awareness, carry out group actions and put pressure on the government.
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