Jakarta - Councils of religions in Indonesia will organize a major meeting in Jakarta, from May 20 to 22, 2008, to draft recommendations on efforts to strengthen the national unity.
The meeting to be organized and financed by several national councils of religions, would be held to observe the 100th anniversary of the National Awakening Day, according to Slamet Effendi Yusuf, chairman of the organizing committee of the Major Meeting of Indonesian Religion Followers To Guard the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).
"This is for the first time that leaders of five major religions initiate, facilitate and finance a meeting jointly. We realize that such a togetherness is needed because the are quite a number of problems facing Indonesia," Slamet Effendi Yusuf said.
The meeting is also aimed at reaffirming the role of religions in unifying the nation. The meeting is timely because Indonesia has been hit by several sectarian conflicts lately.
Participants of the meeting were expected to issue recommendation on efforts to strengthen the national unity and promote the world peace, he said.
"In addition to recommendations, we will also draft a plan of joint actions among Indonesian religions` councils, including conducting mediations in conflicts involving followers of different religions occurring in the society," Yusuf of the Indonesian Ulema (Scholars) Council (MUI) said.
Meanwhile, Executive Secretary of the Indonesian Churches` Association (PGI) Gomar Gultom said that the meeting was also expected to produce positive impacts on the social and political condition of the nation.
Around 300 participants representing five major religions - Christian, Catholic, Islam, Buddha, and Hindu - are expected to join the meeting.
Among speakers of the meeting will be Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Aburizal Bakrie, Religious Affairs Minister Maftuh Basyuni, KH. Hasyim Muzadi (Nahdlatul Ulama), Din Syamsuddin (Muhammadiyah), Prof.DR. Thamrin Amal Tamagola, KH Ma`ruf Amin (MUI), and Mgr. M.D.Situmorang, OFM.,Cap (Indonesia Churches Conference/KWI).
Source: www.antara.co.id (19 Mei 2008)
