President Jokowi Hosts PBNU, Discusses R20 Preparation
President Jokowi talks to Chairman of PBNU Yahya Cholil Staquf at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Thursday (09/22). (Photo: Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat / Rusman)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Wednesday (09/22) at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, hosted Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU).
Speaker to reporters after the meeting, PBNU Chairperson Yahya Cholil Staquf said he reported to President Jokowi on a series of events that will be held prior to the 100th anniversary of Nahdlatul Ulama on 7 February 2023.
“Prior to the peak event, PBNU will hold 9 clusters of events, among others, NU Women, NU Technology, Indonesia’s Islamic traditional art festival, and some other international events,” Yahya said, adding that one of international activities that will be held is a global religious leaders forum, which is also a part of G20 forum events, namely R20 or Religion20.
According to Yahya, the forum will be held two weeks before the G20 Summit on 2-3 November 2022 in Nusa Dua area, Bali.
“We invited President Jokowi to attend the R20 forum, deliver his remarks, and inaugurate the R20 forum,” he added.
Yahya also said that a number of global religious leaders will attend the R20 forum, among others, Secretary-General Rabithah Alam Islami, or World Muslim League, Dr. Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al Issa, President of Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue from Vatican Cardinal Miguel Ayuso, and Secretary-General of World Evangelical Alliance Archbishop Thomas Schirrmacher.
“The President said he would attend the event. Insya Allah, we will also invite some prominent figures, not only religious figures, but also state leaders, such as King Norodom Sihamoni from Cambodia. Insya Allah, he will attend the event as a Buddhist leader,” he said.
Yahya also expressed hope that the R20 forum will result in a number of agreements made by the religious figures on common perspective so religions can be part of solutions for global issues, not to mention that a lot of issues in the world rising from religions.
“We hope it will be an inspiration for global inter-religious life since the main topic of the R20 forum is how religious leaders start to be part of solutions, instead of problems; and how religions provide spiritual inspirations to find solutions for global issues. This will be the main topic of the R20 forum,” he remarked. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat/AIT)(AW/EP)
