Thursday, April 29, 2021

Trustbuilding Program (TBP) Webinar & Launch

“Heal the Past, Hope for the Future”

 

 

Healing is a process. Each one of us should process our feelings properly in order that we can face the future with courage and gratitude. This was what we discussed on 25 April, during Trustbuilding Program (TBP) webinar and launch: “Heal the past, hope for the future”. This event was conducted in person at Jagat Arsy World Civilisation Islamic boarding school and online.

 

We felt honoured and delighted to have Dr. Dino Pati Djalal, former ambassador and founder of 1000 Abrahamic Circle Project in our session. In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Djalal said, “We are free to choose and practice our own religion, yet freedom should be coupled with respect. Respect and trust should go together.” He also shared about the 1000 Abrahamic Circle Project, an independent and grassroots international interfaith peace effort that aims to bring together Islamic, Christian and Jewish faith leaders from three different countries on a journey to each other’s community. Dr. Djalal also raised a point on how important it is to build trust among communities/groups in order to create peace among them.

 

On behalf of Initiatives of Change (IofC) Indonesia, Yofrina welcomed all friends who joined the event and invited the participants to collaborate on this Trustbuilding Program (TBP) in the future. “Today’s theme acknowledges that the future is breaking in on the present and calling us into healing processes and reflection. without allowing ourselves to get stuck in the past. Healing the past is about journeying towards peace, freedom, acceptance and happiness. A quote said that trust is the foundation for a strong and successful relationship. So, let us build trust in ourselves and others.”

 

In this webinar, we invited Febri Ramdani, author at RuangObrol and writer of a book entitled “300 Hari di Bumi Syam.” The book was written to share his experience when he became part of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). “In 2016, I made a decision to move to Syria and live under Islamic state, better known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). With lots of struggle, I was so grateful that my family and I could return to Indonesia.” “I used to trust a single source of information about ISIS and it made me trapped with that group.” Febri said that it was important to have media literacy skill in order to understand and response to terror news and stop the virus of disinformation. Also, to build trust, we need to come together and unite as human-beings.”

 

Neas Wanimbo, our friend from Papua and the founder of Hano Wene shared about his experience in healing his past wounds of Papua’s cycle of violence. “I used to not understand and experience interacting with friends from various communities. Thankfully, the more I am open with others, the more I get to know many friends from different backgrounds and learn to appreciate the diversity. I believe that trustbuilding should start from home. Family has big roles to teach and share about respect and trust.

 

We were also delighted to listen to sharing from Inaya Wahid, the founder of Positive Movement and Jaringan Gusdurian. Inaya is the daughter of the late 4th president of the Republic of Indonesia, Abdurahman Wahid also known as Gus Dur. Gus Dur was an Indonesian Muslim religious and political leader. She began her sharing about the situation in Indonesia during the presidential elections that we experienced political divisions in society and we were challenged to heal the social wounds after the election was over. “Through my father’s journey, I learnt a lot about strengthening civilian and democratic values. He made a big effort to promote inter-religious relations and preserving peace in Indonesia within a democratic country.” Inaya also appreciated the organizing that this Trustbuilding Program is an important tool to build peace in our country. “Trust is about listening to others and not just focusing on ourselves. We should start with ourselves if we are to learn to understand other’s situations.”

 

Talia Smith, the program manager of Trustbuilding Program (TBP) international expressed her appreciation to the Trustbuilding Program (TBP) team in Indonesia who have taken on the challenges to be trust builders and bring more people to the movement in Indonesia. She highlighted that this program is the essential foundation for building and connecting communities. Talia uttered that through this program we learn that building trust starts from ourselves; we engage individuals in an open conversation; we acknowledge the power of history that there will not be meaningful conversations about the future without understanding the past; and we build connections and collaborate with different sectors such as governments and institutions.

 

Launching the program, Mifahul Huda, the program manager of Trustbuilding Program (TBP) in Indonesia, said that the Indonesian team would like to strengthen the internal team with capacity, credibility, and confidence. He said they would focus on 5 cities for 3 years; then 10 cities for 5 years. Huda thanked everyone for their contributions and support to make this event happen and looked forward to working together in our program. He said,” Reflecting on what we had today, I feel the positive energy and beauty of the teamwork and really appreciate this fellowship.” 

 

We also appreciated the presence of the participants who come from various cities in Indonesia and friends from different countries such as Australia, England and the Netherlands, as well as stories sharing and supporting thoughts from the participants. One participant shared that trust can start with family and ourselves.

 

“As part of a minority group in Indonesia, I also want to be part of the inclusive society. I together with my friends had a calling to run a program, called Young Muslim Adventist Trustbuilding (YMAT) to create safe space for interfaith dialogues. The program is also in line with what we presented today.”

 

“Trust should be built by each one of us so that we can do bigger things together and have a more positive impact on society.”

 

The session was ended with interfaith prayer by Priest Binsar Pakpahan and Ozy Fahrurozy, who are both our dear friends of Initiatives of Change (IofC) Indonesia. For the participants who joined the session in person, they had fast breaking together at the venue.

 

We went through the process of launching Trustbuilding Program (TBP) in Indonesia with a positive thought and ended today’s session with a grateful heart. Please stay tuned to our website and social media for our next activities and programs, pay attention to the latest updates and let’s be part of this adventure and movement to create a more peaceful world together.

 

 

Written by Yofrina Octika Gultom