Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Religious Life, ISRL 2020, 2-5 November 2020, Bogor, Indonesia

Research Article

Guru Bacarita: An Encounter With Post-Conflict Peacebuilding in Ambon

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  • @INPROCEEDINGS{10.4108/eai.2-11-2020.2305041,
        author={Abdul Jamil Wahab},
        title={Guru Bacarita: An Encounter With Post-Conflict Peacebuilding in Ambon},
        proceedings={Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Religious Life, ISRL 2020, 2-5 November 2020, Bogor, Indonesia},
        publisher={EAI},
        proceedings_a={ISRL},
        year={2021},
        month={3},
        keywords={guru bacarita bakudapa peace building post-traumatic stress disorder},
        doi={10.4108/eai.2-11-2020.2305041}
    }
    
  • Abdul Jamil Wahab
    Year: 2021
    Guru Bacarita: An Encounter With Post-Conflict Peacebuilding in Ambon
    ISRL
    EAI
    DOI: 10.4108/eai.2-11-2020.2305041
Abdul Jamil Wahab1,*
  • 1: The Research and Development Center for Religions and Religious Services, Ministry of Religious Affairs
*Contact email: ajamilwahab@gmail.com

Abstract

The Ambon conflict was a deadly clash and devastating violence between two religious communities, Muslims and Christians. The conflict has resulted in enormous losses and casualties on both sides. Many efforts for reconciliation and peace building have been made, both by the government and communities. All efforts or approaches have weaknesses, but they serve to complete one another. One of the peace-building efforts initiated by the communities is the “Guru Bacarita” (Teachers Meet) program. This program involves teachers from several schools. They were probably teenagers or kids when the conflict occurred in 1999 to 2004. With a qualitative approach, this study finds out that the conflict has left a psychological impact, known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Here, “Guru Bacarita” has become an “antidote” and a meeting room (bakudapa) for teachers from different religious backgrounds. In addition, it has also succeeded in building intimacy which has eventually created an awareness of mutual need, instead of mutual blame between different communities. In this program, the teachers are invited to visit houses of worship and learn about religious diversity in order to foster tolerance and inclusion. In short, the program plays a significant role in building stronger relationships among groups of people from different religions.