Jayapura — The Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) of Papua Province, Klemens Taran, stated that harmony and interfaith coexistence in the Land of Papua are not merely slogans, but a social reality that has long lived and become ingrained in everyday community life.
Klemens Taran conveyed this to reporters during the commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, held at the Courtyard of the Papua Governor’s Office in Jayapura City on Saturday (January 3, 2026).
He emphasized that the concept of the Path of Peace and the slogan Papua, Land of Peace have grown out of real daily practices in which Papuan communities respect and honor differences.
“So far, interfaith harmony in Papua is not an empty narrative. It lives as a collective movement and has become part of the community’s culture,” Klemens Taran said.
According to him, the preservation of this harmony cannot be separated from the active role of religious and community leaders who are members of the Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB) at the provincial, regency, and municipal levels.
“In addition to FKUB, various interfaith religious organizations and councils have consistently played a role in maintaining social balance,” he explained.
Klemens further stressed that Papua has never experienced a conflict purely triggered by religious issues. If tensions do arise, he said, they are generally rooted in political or economic problems that are later drawn into the religious sphere.
“Conflicts that truly originate from differences in belief have never occurred. This shows the strategic role of religious leaders in safeguarding peace,” he said.
On the same occasion, Klemens Taran also mentioned Papua Province’s plan to put itself forward for the Harmony Award, a national award granted to regions with a high level of interfaith harmony.
He emphasized that the Harmony Award cannot be obtained through personal connections or mere applications, but must be based on genuine and sustainable social conditions.
“This award must reflect real conditions on the ground. It would be naïve to receive the Harmony Award if, a few months later, society becomes disharmonious,” he remarked.
Klemens revealed that his office has held two discussions with Papua Governor Matius D. Fakhiri, who has expressed full commitment to supporting Papua’s efforts to achieve the Harmony Award. The Governor is even prepared to arrange an audience with the Minister of Religious Affairs after January 15, 2026.
As an initial step, the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Papua Province will prepare an official request for an audience with the Minister of Religious Affairs to comprehensively discuss the submission process and the refinement of the Harmony Award assessment.
“This is a collective effort. Harmony can only be achieved if FKUB, local governments, and the Ministry of Religious Affairs move forward together consistently,” he concluded.
With a long track record of interfaith harmony, Papua is optimistic about moving toward national recognition as a province with peaceful and sustainable religious diversity.
