Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia during the Opening Ceremony of G20 Religion Forum (R20), November 2, 2022

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

May prosperity be upon us all,

Om swastiastu,

Namo buddhaya,

Greetings of virtue,

His Excellency Secretary-General of the World Muslim League Syekh Dr Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa,

His Excellency Grand Mufti of Egypt Sheikh Shawqi Ibrahim Allam,

His Excellency President of the Centrist Democrat International and former President of Colombia Mr. Andres Pastrana Arango,

His Excellency Rais Aam of Nahdlatul Ulama K.H. Miftachul Akhyar;

Honorable Chairperson of Nahdlatul Ulama Mr. K.H. Yahya Cholil Staquf,

Ministers of the Indonesian Onward Cabinet,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all, on behalf of the Government and the people of Indonesia, I would like to welcome you to Indonesia. Welcome to the country of 17 thousand islands with three different time zones, a population of over 275 million people with 714 tribes and over 1,100 local languages, and six different religions.

Indonesia is a plural country in terms of ethnicities, languages, and religions. However, we are united by the state ideology “Pancasila.” We are united by tolerance and unity embodied in the concept of “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika”, Unity in Diversity.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Various religious figures played an important role in Indonesia’s struggle for independence, which was achieved in 1945. Different religious figures have also become an important part of uniting Indonesia, and they have also become an important part to make government development programs successful.

The success achieved by Indonesia today, including in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, is also owing to the contribution of religious figures. Mosques, churches, temples, and monasteries have all become the literacy center of the society in a variety of fields. Indonesia is also proud of its interreligious cooperation.

Your attendance at Religion 20 Forum (R20) makes us very proud. Indonesia hopes to learn from all attendees from various countries. We, Indonesian people, are also eager to share our knowledge and experiences. What is also important is that the religious leaders from various religions and countries must collaborate. A collaboration to increase the religions’ contribution to solve global problems in order to diminish rivalries and end wars, for a world of peace, a united world, a world that works together to pass on goodness to future generations.

Thank you once again for your attendance in Indonesia to participate in the R20 conference. We wish you success in fostering understanding and agreement, as well as in reaching consensus on concrete measures that will allow religions to contribute more to civilization and humanity, as well as to a happier world for all.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Om santi santi santi om,

Namo buddhaya.

(YC/AW/LW)