PRESIDENT CALLS FOR UNITY TO ACHIEVE NATIONAL IDEALS

Jakarta, Feb. 13 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) has called on the Indonesian people to unite, pray and work to realize the national ideals.

The president made the appeal during a 'zikir' (chanting in praise of Allah) event organized at the National Monument (Monas) here on Saturday morning. Hundreds of people attended the event despite a drizzle.

"We must be united as the community of God's servants, ... we of course want to build good community and good future," the President said.

All the people, regardless of their backgrounds, ethnicity, religion and culture, must be united to achieve the common goals, he said.

A good community, which is the nation' ideal, is a community which is civil, ethical, tolerant, law abiding, and eschews slander, or divisiveness, he said.

"And when it enjoys freedom, uses the freedom properly," he said.

Yudhoyono also prayed to God for the safety and unity of the Indonesian people.

The event dubbed "Zikir for My Indonesia" was organized by the SBY Nurussalam Zikir Council, Nurul Musthofa Zikir Council, and the National 'Habib' (descendants of Prophet Muhammad) Forum.

Among the dignitaries present at event were Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa, National Education Minister M. Nuh, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa and Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono.