Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Bogor Declaration, which was produced at the Trilateral Ulema (Muslim clerics) Conference initiated by President Joko Widodo in May 2018 in Bogor (West Java), has received appreciation from the participants of the International Ulema Conference on Peace and Security in Afghanistan, which was opened on Tuesday (July 19) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
A statement received by Antara here on Wednesday mentioned that the Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Permanent Representative of Indonesia to Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Agus Maftuh Abegebriel, who attended the international conference, asserted that the Bogor Declaration involved Muslim clerics from three countries, namely Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Indonesia.
The ambassador explained that the conference on Afghan, which was firstly organized by the OIC, was attended by about 130 Muslim scholars from various countries and will end on Wednesday (July 11).
The Indonesia delegation was chaired by Prof. Dr. Quraish Shihab.
In his statement, Prof. Shihab conveyed the greetings of President Joko Widodo to the participants of the conference and affirmed that Indonesia would always be committed to build bridges of peace and compassion for the benefit of the people of Afghanistan.
Furthermore, he also expressed Indonesia`s hope that this forum could generate concrete steps towards peace in Afghanistan without using phrases that could offend one party in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Dr. Muhamad Syafiq Samim, who read the remarks from the Chairman of Senior Afghan Ulema, Maulaya Qiyamuddin Kasyaf, remarked that the Bogor Declaration was one of the important milestones in the peace process in Afghanistan.
Samim also explained some important points that need to be addressed in the peace process, including the need for a long-term ceasefire, inclusive talks involving the Afghan Government and Taliban, and the imperative of applying fatwas from the Afghan Muslim clerics, stating that war is forbidden in Islam and a great sin.
Fatwa is the Islamic ruling in any issue or area of life. Fatwa can only be given by a person from a certified institute.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Imam of Masjid Al-Haram, who is also advisor to the Royal Court (Diwan Malaki), Saleh bin Abdullah Humaid, affirmed the importance of creating "tasamuh" (tolerant) and ta`ayusy (harmonious) life for the Afghan nation.
Abegebriel added that Indonesia`s presence in this conference shows the seriousness of the government in resolving the conflict by spreading tolerance and humanity values.
He noted that on Wednesday (July 11), Chairman of the Indonesian Ulama Delegation, Prof. Quraish Shihab, was specially invited by King Salman at the Jeddah As-Salam Palace.
The conference on the second day will be continued at the Royal Guest House, Makkah Al-Mukarramah, and will conclude with the Makkah Declaration to establish peace in Afghanistan.
The Bogor Declaration affirms that Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance, and moderation. The word Islam itself means peace. Therefore, true Muslims will always love peace.
The declaration also called on Muslims to call for messages of peace, compassion, and love and be involved in supporting Afghanistan to achieve peace driven by ulema.
In the declaration, Muslim clerics asserted that peace is the command of Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala, and thus all conflicts must be resolved by negotiation. The scholars appreciate the countries of the region as well as the Islamic world for supporting every effort to achieve peace in Afghanistan
The Muslim scholars also called on all parties to play a role in resolving conflicts and creating peace by negotiation, because it is one of the characteristics of Islam.
Bogor Declaration asserts that Muslim clerics play an important role in passing on Islamic values and creating peace.
Reporter: Libertina W. Ambari
Editor: Andi Abdussalam
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
