Dr. Samsul Hidayat, MA: Promoting Interfaith Harmony Through Culinary Diplomacy

Tolerance is an attitude of mutual respect and appreciation between different groups or individuals within society. This mindset can help prevent discrimination, even in diverse communities. One way to promote tolerance is through Interfaith Dialogue.
On Wednesday, March 4, 2020, the National Unity and Politics Agency (Kesbangpol) of West Kalimantan organized an Interfaith Dialogue. One of the speakers at this event was Dr. Samsul Hidayat, MA., the Dean of the Faculty of Ushuluddin, Adab, and Da'wah, a lecturer in the Comparative Religion Study Program at IAIN Pontianak, and the Chair of the Interfaith Relations Commission of the Indonesian Ulema Council in West Kalimantan. He presented on strategies for fostering harmony among religious communities through local wisdom.
According to population statistics, the majority of people in West Kalimantan are Muslim, accounting for 55.68% of the population. In the interior regions inhabited by the Dayak Tribe, most residents adhere to Christianity (either Catholic or Protestant), particularly in the Bengkayang, Landak, Sanggau, Sintang, and Sekadau regencies. Among the Chinese population in West Kalimantan, many are either Buddhist or Christian (Catholic or Protestant). In areas with a significant ethnic Chinese presence, such as Singkawang City and Pontianak, there is also a considerable number of Buddhists. To foster better interfaith relations, it is essential to promote tolerance among different religions.

Dr. Samsul Hidayat, MA., states that one key element that fosters relationships and tolerance among different religious communities is culinary diplomacy. This approach can promote tolerance and harmony during cultural and business exchanges, developing naturally within community life, particularly in West Kalimantan. Samsul Hidayat highlighted that culinary diplomacy is an initiative aimed at strengthening engaged dialogue among inter-religious communities based on local wisdom. One notable example of this is the city of Singkawang, which is known for its multi-ethnic and religious communities. This diversity has earned Singkawang the title of the "City of Tolerance." Through culinary diplomacy, which serves as a representation of each ethnic group, it is hoped that meaningful dialogue can be fostered between different ethnic and religious communities in West Kalimantan.