PELA GANDONG SEBAGAI PEMANGKIN TOLERANSI ANTARA MUSLIM DAN KRISTIAN DI AMBON (Pela Gandong as the Enhancer of Tolerance among Muslims and Christians in Ambon)

Abstract

ABSTRAK

Konsep toleransi telah wujud dalam doktrin agama Islam dan Kristian. Walau bagaimanapun, pengamalan sikap toleransi di kalangan masyarakat Muslim dan Kristian merupakan satu cabaran dan perlukan komitmen yang tinggi. Ini kerana terdapat pelbagai faktor yang mempengaruhi hubungan Muslim-Kristian. Fenomena ini berlaku di Ambon, sebuah bandar yang terletak di bahagian timur Indonesia, yang mempunyai komposisi penduduk Muslim dan Kristian pada kadar jumlah yang hampir sama. Dalam tempoh masa yang lama, masyarakat Ambon menjalani kehidupan dengan mesra, harmoni dan sentiasa mengamalkan sikap toleransi. Sikap toleransi masyarakat Ambon, bukan hanya berasaskan kepada pengamalan ajaran agama, tetapi diperkuatkan dengan adat yang dikenali sebagai pela gandong (secara bahasa bermakna kesatuan persahabatan – union brotherhood). Berasaskan kepada pela gandong, penduduk Ambon akan saling bertoleransi, bekerjasama dan melindungi antara satu dengan yang lain walaupun berbeza agama namun hubungan mereka erat seumpama saudara. Dengan demikian, Ambon kerapkali dijadikan sebagai contoh toleransi antara agama di Indonesia. Akan tetapi konflik yang berlaku antara penduduk Muslim dan Kristian di Ambon pada tahun 1999 menimbulkan banyak tanda tanya di kalangan pengamat sosial berhubung dengan kesan pela gandong. Keharmonian antara kedua-dua penganut agama bertukar menjadi peperangan, pembunuhan dan pembakaran tempat-tempat ibadah, serta kemudahan awam lainnya.

ABSTRACT

The concept of tolerance exists in the doctrines of Islam and Christianity. However the application of tolerance attitudes among Muslim and Christian communities is a challenge and needs higher commitment. This is due to many factors influencing the Muslim and Christian relationship. This phenomenon has occurred in Ambon, the city located in the eastern part of Indonesia, occupied by Muslims and Christians whose composition is almost equal in their numbers. Within a long period, the peoples of Ambon had practiced tolerance and lived harmoniously and agreeably. Their tolerance was not solely based on the religious teachings but enhanced by the tradition known as Pela Gandong, linguistically means union of brotherhood. Based on Pela Gandong, the peoples of Ambon had been tolerant, cooperative and protective among them although they were religiously different but their relationship as if they were brothers. Consequently Ambon had always been regarded as a good example of the religious tolerance in Indonesia. However the conflict took place between Muslims and Christians in Ambo in 1999 and many questions propped up among the social observers in connection with Pela Gandong. The harmony between these two adherents of religions turned into wars, killings and burnings of the worshipping places and public facilities.