Religious moderation can only be realized if we respect each other, tolerate differences, as well as continue to cooperate or collaborate to contribute to the common good.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Zainut Tauhid Sa'adi stated that the 1st Arts and Sports Week (Pesona) of State Religious Universities (PTKN) had increased interfaith harmony as the capital for maintaining the identity of Indonesia.

"Maintaining harmony amid various differences, especially regarding religion and belief, is quite a challenge for all of us," he noted in a statement here on Saturday.

The 1st Pesona of PTKN was held on August 8-13, 2022, at State Islamic University (UIN) Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung City, West Java Province.

At the closing of the event, the deputy minister emphasized that maintaining harmony in diversity is also the main capital to build commitment to support religious moderation.

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"Religious moderation can only be realized if we respect each other, tolerate differences, as well as continue to cooperate or collaborate for common good," he remarked.

Hence, he assessed that the 1st Pesona of PTKN was a strategic activity that helped students to not only become intellectually and religiously reliable but also maintain sound physical and mental health as well as develop superior artistic abilities.

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He believes that the activity was able to bring together universities with different religious beliefs to uphold religious harmony in day-to-day life.

Sa'adi expects the event to help students to develop logical thinking and have strong ethics, so they can distinguish right from wrong.

Furthermore, he lauded the initiative to implement the 1st Pesona of PTKN as well as all parties that helped to ensure smooth running of the event.

In addition, he urged the participants, who were unable to clock any achievements in the event, to be patient and continue to hone their abilities.


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Translator: Hreeloita Shanti, Uyu Liman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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