Quote by Goenawan Mohamad: “Tolerance is not apathy; it is the active respect for differences, even those we dislike.”

This quote redefines tolerance as a proactive and conscious choice to honor and value the distinctions among people, even when those differences are personally challenging, rather than simply ignoring or passively accepting them. It calls for active engagement and empathy.

As Indonesia grappled with authoritarian rule and increasing social divisions, Mohamad, through his essays and public discourse, consistently advocated for genuine tolerance and pluralism. He emphasized these values as crucial for maintaining a healthy and democratic society.

Indonesian poet, essayist, and intellectual, born in Batang in 1941 and the founder and longtime editor of the cultural magazine Tempo. One of the most important public intellectuals in modern Indonesia, his Catatan Pinggir columns and poetry combined aesthetic refinement with political courage.