King Salman Praises Indonesia’s Interreligious Unity

King Salman, accompanied by President Jokowi, during an interfaith dialog at Raffles Hotel, Kuningan, South Jakarta, Friday(3/3). (Photo by: Presidential Secretariat/Bureau of Press and Media)

Saudi Arabian King, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, expressed his appreciation for Indonesian people who demonstrated inter-religious unity, hoping all citizens would uphold the value of tolerance in the society.

“Stability in Indonesia is the fruit of the spirit of tolerance and coexistence among its people of all stripes. We should always offer hands among religious believers in order to strengthen the values of tolerance,” the King said during an interfaith dialog which was held at Raffles Hotel, Kuningan, South Jakarta, Friday (3/3).

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo also attended the dialog.

The King, also known as “the guardian of Islam’s two holy shrines”, also called on everyone attending the dialog to actively maintain peace and stressed the importance to fight all forms of radicalism and extremism that are getting rampant.

“All religions attempt to protect human rights and the happiness of the people. So, it is important to fight against radicalism and extremism,” the King said.

During the dialog,President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo briefly introduced religious figures attending the dialog. As many as 29 religious figures attending the meeting, the President said, are representation of diversity in Indonesia.

“Your Majesty King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, those attending the dialog are representative from Islam, Catholic, Protestant, Hindu, Buddha, and Konghucu. They are the representation in Indonesia,” the President said.

The President also said that those figures become one of the pillars in creating harmony inIndonesia and the harmony, the President said, serves as the foundation for the unity in Indonesia so far.

“Your Majesty King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, these religious leaders are role models for the people in building tolerance and mutual respect which are very important in interfaith relations in Indonesia. Your Majesty King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, the religious leaders present here are the prestigious assets of Indonesia in contributing to peace in Indonesia and in the world,” the President said.

Religious figures attending the dialog were:

From Islam: 1. Din Syamsuddin; 2. Prof. Dr. Azyumardi Azra; 3. Prof. Dr. Kammarudin Amin; 4. Prof. Dr. Alwi Shihab; 5. Zannuba Arriffah C. Rahman (Yenny Wahid); 6. Abdul Mufti;7. Masyakuri Abdillah; 8. Komaruddin Hidayat; and 9. Yudie Latief.

From Christian Protestant: 1. Hanriette T. Hutabarat; 2. Rev. Rony Mandang; 3. Rev. Dr. Jacob Nahuway; and 4. Gomar Gultom

From Catholics: 1. Mgr. Ignatius Suharyo Harjoatmojo; 2. Mgr. Antonius Subianto Osc; 3. Mgr. Paskalis Bruno Syukur Ofm; and 4. Franz Magnis Suseno.

From Buddhism: 1. S. Hartati Tjakra Murdaya; 2. Bhikku Sri Pannyavaro; 3. Suhadi Sanjaya; and 4. Arif Harsono.

From Hinduism: 1. Mayjen TNI (Ret) Wisnu Bawa Tenaya; 2. Ir. Ketut Parwata; 3. Letjen TNI Purn Putu Soekreta Soeranta; and 4. Made Gede Erata.

From Konghucu: 1. Uung Sendana; 2. Ws. Budi Santoso Tanuwibowo; and 3. XS Djangrana.

Also attending the dialog were Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, and Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin. (BPMI Setpres/UN/ES)(EP/YM/Naster)