Myanmar Interreligious Group visits Indonesia

Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla on September 9, welcomed some inter-religious figures from Myanmar at his office in Jakarta, and held a discussion on tolerance, harmony, and situation of interfaith people in both countries. The event was held through cooperation between the government and the Indonesia Inter-Religious Council (IRC) initiated by Din Syamsuddin, a national Muslim figure. “The delegations of Myanmar’s inter-religious figures were here to share their views on how Indonesia maintains inter-faith harmony,” Syamsuddin remarked. According to Syamsuddin, the vice president had highlighted Indonesia’s founding principles of Pancasila and Bhineka Tunggal Ika, an old Javanese term translated as “Unity in Diversity,” the official national motto of Indonesia. They have helped people lead a harmonious existence. Furthermore, religious moderation is expected to serve as a reference for other countries home to different religions.
Leader of Myanmar’s delegations Cardinal Charles Bo lauded the meeting and expressed the hope of taking a cue from Indonesia on equality among people of different faiths. “We have seen a wide body of experience on how this Muslim-majority nation upholds equality without any discrimination,” Cardinal Bo remarked.