Cross-Cutting Loyalties: Repertoire and Architecture of Multi-Religious Cohabitation in Medan City, North Sumatra, Indonesia

This study revolves around the most appropriate architecture for developing sustainable social harmony through interreligious dialogue in a multi-religious cohabitation in Indonesia, particularly in Medan City. Although this research is based in Medan, its objectives are relevant to other regions in Indonesia, which tend to be multi-religious, and also to other countries around the world. This research provides insights needed to build sustainable social harmony and a peaceful world. This study is motivated by the low frequency and intensity of religious-based radicalism, terrorism, and intolerance compared to other regions in this country to find the treasures, prerequisites, and mechanisms for developing sustainable social harmony. Data collection was carried out through participatory observations, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and questionnaire. All data was analyzed based on interpretive phenomenology and the findings showed cross sectoral relationships, prerequisites, interreligious dialogue mechanisms, and the development of sustainable social harmony. It was found that the canalization of cross cutting affiliations fosters the accumulation of alliances in creating cross-cutting loyalties that contain the same rights and obligations. In addition to multiculturalism education in educational institutions, multi-religious and ethnic associations need to be built early through youth organizations. It is concluded that social harmony in a multi-religious cohabitation order requires prerequisites and mechanisms that contain universal morality and spirituality embedded in grassroots society. A pluralistic religious order supports social harmony, which is considered relevant to “Unity in Diversity,” the founding principle of this country.