Muslim scholars, Vatican delegate say inter-faith dialogue gives moderates a voice
The International Conference of Islamic Scholars closed today in Jakarta; the need to give expression to moderate views to stop terrorism and to modernize Islam was emphasized. Mgr Akasheh: there is not only Islamophobia; Christians also suffer.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) The Catholic Church and renowned representatives of the Muslim world are in agreement about the importance of inter-faith dialogue, which gives expression to moderate stands towards the construction of "world peace". This emerged at the close of the second International Conference of Islamic Scholars (ICIS), which took place from 20 to 22 June in Jakarta. More than 300 scholars and politicians from 53 countries attended the event organized by the Nadhlatul Ulama (NU), the largest Muslim organization in Indonesia. The Vatican envoy present was Mgr Khaled Akasheh, head officer for Islam on the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue.
In an interview with local media, Mgr Akasheh reiterated the commitment of the Church to maintaining "relations with other religions to make the world a safe and peaceful place to live". He continued: "All religions are called to reinforce dialogue to build global peace". The Holy See delegate recalled the "firm commitment of Benedict XVI to inter-religious dialogue, especially with Muslims". He added: "The Pope has given an assurance that the Church wants to continue to build bridges of friendship with followers of all religions."
Intervening at the ICIS, the presidents of Indonesia's two largest Muslim organizations and those with which the Vatican has ties expressed the need for inter-religious dialogue and of internal talks in Islam for the furthering of moderate positions to stop extremists.
Hasyim Muzadi of the NU said the strengthening of the voice of moderates in the Islamic world was essential to bring about harmony between faiths and the modernization of Islam. "Moderates are not those without an opinion. Moderates are those with strong views based on a conviction about what is right and just," he said. "Moderates strike the balance between faith and tolerance for peace and social welfare, and maintain solidarity." He continued: "People need to share common ideas about peace, and this conference is seeking for us to promote modernization in Islam." The NU president assured that his organization will continue to struggle to spread the true values of Islam among Muslims, so that they will know how to defend their religion in a pluralistic society."
The president of Muhammadiyah, Din Syamsudin, said moderation was needed to counter terrorism which used religion. He said in his intervention yesterday: "Terrorists misunderstand religion and as long as injustice and illegality are present in society, radicalism and terrorism will find fertile ground in Indonesia." Din and Hasyim both defined as "mistaken" the campaigns of some Islamic groups who fight for the application of Islamic law in Indonesia.
However the importance underlined several times by the Vatican of "reciprocity" as a condition for inter-faith dialogue did not emerge in the Jakarta conference. In his opening address at the ICIS, the Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, talked about "growing Islamophobia" in the West, inviting the Muslim community to "show Islam is peaceful". Today's statements of Mgr Akasheh to the Jakarta Post seem to be a reply: "Not only Muslims, Christians have been also suffering from Christianophobia. Religious institutions and their leaders should take initiatives to hold dialogs, both internally and through interfaith fora, to prevent 'phobia' and sectarian conflicts."
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27/02/2006
