“Nation building is not only pursued by the Islamic community but also by other religious communities in Indonesia. This is what creates a positive and tolerant life in Indonesia, which we can enjoy together until now," the minister remarked, as quoted from a written statement received here on Friday.
He stated that adoption of the values of religious tolerance and moderation, which were applied through cooperation between religious communities in Indonesia, was an important pillar in maintaining the unity of the nation.
The minister delivered the statement during "The 7th Interfaith Dialogue: Religion in Colonization and Decolonization: Indonesian-Dutch Confrontation, Confirmation, Transformation" in Den Haag, the Netherlands, on Thursday, June 9.
He noted that after Indonesia's independence, various Islamic organizations, such as Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah, the Indonesian Islamic Da'wah Council, and other religious communities, established several educational institutions, ranging from elementary schools to universities.
In fact, these organizations, as their form of support to national development, offered scholarships and built hundreds of hospitals throughout Indonesia.
The minister observed that religious organizations played a vital role in preventing foreign ideologies, which were not in accordance with the Pancasila values, from flourishing in the country.
Thus, religions and interfaith life in Indonesia had a strategic contribution in building inclusiveness, tolerance, and moderation as collective values, he remarked.
"The development and protection of the values of tolerance and moderation are crucial aspects in protecting Indonesia's diversity," he affirmed.
On the same occasion, he highlighted the notable role of religious leaders, who also partook in the struggle to fight for Indonesia's independence.
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"In fact, KH Hasyim Asy'ari (initiated) to the Jihad Resolution, in which the resolution obligates all Islamic organizations to (fight for) Indonesia's independence," he pointed out.
Mahfud MD, whose entourage comprised Deputy for Foreign Coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Rina Soemarno and other members of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, would conduct a series of other activities in Den Haag and Amsterdam, the Netherlands, before delivering a speech at the 50th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Session in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday, June 13.
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Translator: Tri Meilani A, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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