MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, PONTIANAK – Muhammadiyah Central Board Chairman, Kiai Saad Ibrahim, officially opened the Sustainability, Harmony, and Equality (SHE) Festival in Pontianak on Friday (10/10).
The festival, carrying out the theme “Ecotheology for Climate Justice”, became an event of cross-religious and cross-culture dialogue that brought together hundreds of youth, environment activists, academics, and religious figures across Indonesia.
In his opening remarks, Kiai Saad reminded that environmental theology is a new moral foundation for confronting global crises. Theological value, to him, must be grounded in everyday practice for the benefit of the environment.
“Protecting nature is not a choice, but is a spiritual responsibility. Climate justice could only happen if humans were devoted to God while also committed to maintaining social justice,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Director of Eco Bhinneka Muhammadiyah, Hening Parlan, explained that the SHE Festival is a reflection of a long journey of cross-religious movement that has been going for almost five years.
“Sustainability, Harmony, and Equality is a testament of our shared gratitude. All religions taught the same virtues: caring for the earth, for one another, and for our life. Eco Bhinneka was established as a bridge linking faith, togetherness, and environmental stewardship,” said Hening.
This festival was also attended by some representatives of cross-religious figures in West Kalimantan such as Pastor Dr. Paulus Ajong (Chairman of the Communion of Indonesian Churches — PGI); Pandita Rolink Kurniadi Darmara, (Chairman of Indonesian Buddhist Representative — WALUBI); Sugeng (Hindu Dharma Council of Indonesia — PHDI); and Sutadi, (Head of The Indonesian Supreme Council of Confucianism — MATAKIN).
Aside from the seminar, the event also featured various exhibitions. One of which is the Green Community Exhibition showcasing the best practice of every region that has successfully executed the Eco Bhinneka Muhammadiyah program.
The festival culminated in the act of “Walk for Earth and Unity”. This act was attended by more than 300 participants from the cross-religious community, symbolically opened by the Mayor of Pontianak. (Bintang Adrian)
