Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Opening of the R20 International Summit of Religious Authorities, at the Ballroom of the Park Hyatt Hotel, Jakarta Special Capital Region, November 27, 2023

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Good morning. May prosperity be upon all of us,

Shalom,

Om swastiastu,

Namo buddhaya,

Greetings of Virtue.

Distinguished Ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Religious Affairs.

Distinguished Excellencies Ambassadors of friendly countries;

Distinguished Katib ‘Aam PBNU (Secretary General of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia’s largest Muslim mass organization) Mr. Kiai Haji Ahmad Said Asrori;

Distinguished Chairperson of PBNU, Mr. Kiai Haji Yahya Cholil Staquf;

Distinguished Excellencies religious figures from all over the world who are present this morning, members of the R20 Delegation;

Ladies and gentlemen,

First of all, especially to guests from friendly countries, I would like to say welcome to Indonesia, welcome to Jakarta, and thank you for actively making attempts with Indonesia to strengthen the world peace and bridge differences. Because it really doesn’t make sense and it is really unacceptable that in our super modern world today there are still open wars and massacres that take civilians’, women’s and children’s lives.

The humanitarian tragedy in Palestine cannot be tolerated in the slightest. A ceasefire must be implemented immediately, humanitarian assistance must be accelerated, and peace negotiations must be initiated immediately. Indonesia believes that independence is the inalienable right of all nations, as firmly stated in the Indonesian constitution. Indonesia also has long experience in knitting diversity, bridging differences, and harmonizing heterogeneity.

Currently, Indonesia’s population reaches almost 280 million people consisting of 714 tribes with more than 1,300 local or regional languages, embracing different religions, and living across 17 thousand islands. It’s not easy to unite them, but we can.

And, we are grateful that Indonesia can manage to eliminate tribal egos, religious egos, and regional egos, so that we succeed in bringing Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, unity in diversity, into reality. This would not be possible if it were not supported by religious teachings. It would also never be realized if it were not supported by religious leaders who taught that love of one’s country is part of faith, tolerance for differences is part of faith, and maintaining unity is also part of faith. Indonesia believes that the role of religion, religious figures and society is very important in creating peace, harmony and togetherness, both within a country, in the region and in the world.

Therefore, I really appreciate this forum. Let us create dialogue between religions and across nations to bridge differences and stop all forms of conflict, so that we can create a peaceful, harmonious, and prosperous world together.

And, by saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, this morning I officially open the Religion of 20 International Summit of Religious Authorities.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

(TM/MUR)