Abstract:
This research aims to explore the situation of pluralism in
West Kalimantan, a paradoxical place in Indonesia. For social
researchers, this situation is unique because on the one hand West
Kalimantan is known as a conflict-prone area in Indonesia, and on
the other hand, part of its territory, namely the Singkawang area, is
actually called the most tolerant area. Previous researchers assumed
that this situation was false, because conflicts between religious and
ethnic groups still occur frequently. However, there is a side that has
not been explored, related to communication strategies or precisely
the way of interacting shown by ethnic groups in this area. The role
of the Chinese Muslim group is actually significant in bringing about
harmonisation between the polarised groups. Chinese Muslims have
provided a link that is socially very instrumental in deconstructing
the strengthening of ethnic and religious group identities. Although
they seem to form their own identity, two sides of that identity are
related to religious groups and ethnic groups, which is very useful to
make them "the same" or at least look somewhat the same as the
main groups here. In fact, their presence balances the groups. In
conclusion, theoretically, the presence of the Chinese Muslim
community in West Kalimantan breaks the ice of identity and
becomes a bridge of communication between communities.
