The vice president said that empathy is the main basis of the founding of our RepublicJakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin received Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Elders, Sultan Faisal Al Rumaithi, and other Muslim scholars at the official residence here on Tuesday.
During the meeting, the vice president and Muslim scholars discussed religious tolerance and harmony flourishing in Indonesia, according to information received from the vice president's spokesperson, Masduki Baidlowi, on Wednesday.
"The ulemas visiting the vice president expressed their interest to study from Indonesia's Muslim scholars to learn how Indonesian Muslims could live in harmony with other Indonesians belonging to religious minority communities," Baidlowi remarked.
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Scholars of the Abu Dhabi-based independent international Islamic organization also informed Amin about the organization’s work and its current activities.
"Members of the Council decided to come to Indonesia and participate in activities relevant to the organization," the spokesperson noted.
Baidlowi remarked that Al Rumaithi was amazed at the Indonesian people's success in maintaining peace and harmony despite religious, cultural, and linguistic differences.
The secretary general is hopeful of taking a cue from Indonesia's success and carrying forward positive values acquired in the country to the Middle East region where conflicts are rampant despite the region's small and homogeneous population.
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"During the discussion, Al Rumaithi sought details from the vice president about this issue, as he was keen to learn about harmony among members of Indonesia's population," Baidlowi remarked.
Responding to the Muslim scholars' question, Amin remarked that Indonesia's founders, who agreed to compromise and establish the country with a codified covenant as the basis, is what makes Indonesia successful in maintaining tolerance and harmony till present.
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Indonesian founders are also against any discrimination between religious majority and minority, he pointed out.
"The vice president said that empathy is the main basis of the founding of our Republic," the spokesperson noted.
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Translator: Fransiska N, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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