President Jokowi Opens International Sufi Conference of 2023
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo officially opened the 2023 International Sufi Conference, at Sahid International Convention Centre, Pekalongan city, Central Java province, Tuesday afternoon (08/29).
“Thank you for always teaching lessons on solidarity, peace, harmony, tolerance in the midst of our diversity and unity, in the midst of the differences we have,” President Jokowi said, adding that ulemas and religious figures also play an important role to teach those virtues.
“As a plural country, ‘unity in diversity’ is the spirit of Indonesian nation with its 270 million diverse population, diverse ethnicities and religions. Alhamdulillah, our unity is solid, alhamdulillah, we can maintain our political stability owing to the moderate character of Indonesian nation that fosters tolerance and unity,” he stated.
However, President Jokowi acknowledged that cases of intolerance still occur in the country. Therefore, the President highlighted that all elements of the society are responsible to promote tolerance so peace can be maintained in Indonesia and the world.
“I believe that tasawwuf (inwardness in Islam) practices have an important role in promoting the values of universal humanism with the Islamic principle of wasathiyah (moderation). A moderate Islam that will continue to strengthen tolerance, unity, and solidarity,” he stated.
According to President Jokowi, the 2023 International Sufi Conference has a very important meaning. It proves that Indonesia’s Islam is not marginal anymore, and it also has a very strategic role and contributes to the development of a peaceful and harmonious global civilization. The conference has manifested the high values of tasawwuf, tariqah (Sufi path of spiritual development), and brings these values closer to every country.
Concluding his remarks, President Jokowi expressed hope that the conference can be an inspiration and example of the Islamic world and guide the ummah towards improvement and goodness. He also expected that the conference can provide solutions to the humanity crisis that the world is currently facing.
“I believe that the high values of Indonesian culture, such as showing respectful, amiable, polite and sociable manners, as well as other national wisdom will give color to this noble conference. Let us continue to maintain solidarity and tolerance, to take a stand against hate speech, slander, and hoax, to practice dhikr and pray for the unity and solidness of our beloved nation and country,” he remarked.
Also attending the conference were, among others, Minister for State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) Admiral Yudo Margono, Chief of the Indonesian National Police (Polri) Listyo Sigit Prabowo, and Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo. (MAY/UN)(AW/MMB)