"When we examined the leadership in several Islamic countries in the Middle East, some are authoritarian and do not treat their people well," Kalla remarked while closing the Conference of Muslim Scholars, Ulema and Sufis World (ICIS) at the State Islamic University (UIN) Maulana Malik Ibrahim in Malang, East Java, on Wednesday.
The vice president said it was ironic that several populous Islamic countries faced significant turmoil, but religious teachings could not be held responsible for it.
However, the vice president noted that the turmoil was the result of various actions that led to conflict, chaos, and even killings.
"We are grateful that in Indonesia such matters can be addressed properly, and the people of different faiths can coexist in perfect peace and harmony," he affirmed.
The vice president also expressed sorrow and a sense of irony that several Muslims, particularly from the Middle East region, have even immigrated to non-Islamic countries in search of protection.
In addition to authoritarianism, Kalla also highlighted the existence of internal conflicts and attacks from foreign parties on several Islamic countries, such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, and Syria, which have faced both internal and external destruction.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
