By AdminJune 17, 2025
JAKARTA, PGI.OR.ID-The media team from the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation (JAI) visited the Office of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) in Salemba, Central Jakarta, on Monday (6/16/2025). In order to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation (JAI), a book entitled “Ahmadiyah in the Eyes of 100 Indonesian Figures” was compiled. One of the figures interviewed in this project was Rev. Jacklevyn (Jacky) F. Manuputty, General Chairperson of PGI and a figure with a long history in humanitarian work and conflict resolution, especially in Maluku.
Rev. Jacky warmly welcomed the arrival of the JAI media team. In the friendly meeting, he said that Indonesia’s religiousness is a national treasure that should be protected, respected, and given fair space. “I believe that differences are not detrimental, but rather become a strength if managed with an attitude of mutual understanding, respect, and hand in hand for the interests of the nation and humanity.”
Rev. Jacky said that the calling to be involved in peace and humanity stems from deep concern for the conflict that is tearing apart the joints of humanity in Indonesia. He criticized the direction of reform that has so far strengthened democracy in its institutional aspects, including law and regulation, but is weak in strengthening civil society. In fact, more than that, democracy at the civil society level is still lagging behind. Much energy is spent on forming regulations, but their implementation is weak. Our challenge, according to him, is not only in conducting dialogue at the elite level, but how to bring the results of these discussions to the wider community.
Rev. Jacky said that interfaith dialogue is not just a discourse, but a basic need of a pluralistic nation. “Dialogue is a bridge to mutual understanding, not only preventing conflict, but also fostering empathy and friendship. There is always an opportunity for collaboration in social work, for example in the fields of education, poverty reduction, and disaster management,” he said. He views Ahmadiyah as a community that has demonstrated social resilience and real contributions in enriching Indonesia’s peaceful culture for more than a century.
In the session, Rev. Jacky also highlighted the spiritual and social values of the Ahmadiyah Congregation that are in line with the principles of love, justice, and brotherhood. He emphasized the importance of expanding spaces for meetings and collaboration between communities, especially in the humanitarian field, as a solution-oriented force amidst the nation’s challenges.
As a peace figure who has been involved in reconciliation of interfaith conflicts in Maluku, Rev. Jacky shared lessons on building trust and reconciliation across faiths. He considered the role of Ahmadiyah in the interfaith network in Maluku as one example of a positive contribution from a minority community to social recovery.
Closing the meeting, Rev. Jacky expressed his hope that the future of interfaith relations in Indonesia, including between Christians and Ahmadiyah, will be increasingly solid in the spirit of brotherhood. He also left a message for the young generation of different faiths to continue to maintain harmony, preserve diversity, and become pioneers of unity.
“We should not have too much interfaith dialogue in the sense of exchanging discourses, but rather need to realize more concrete interfaith actions. Later, from real actions, it will certainly lead to more meaningful dialogue,” he said.
Yendra Budiandra, Head of the Ahmadiyah National Media Center, said that this reflective interview aims to make the public increasingly understand the importance of interfaith dialogue in maintaining the integrity of the Indonesian nation, recognize the contribution of Ahmadiyah in the culture of peace and interfaith solidarity, and build the opinion that Ahmadiyah is a strategic partner in the humanitarian and national movement.
Categories: Ahmadis, Ahmadiyyat: True Islam, Asia, Indonesia