Speaking at an interfaith dialogue in Bratislava, Slovakia, on Monday, Amin emphasized that ending the Hamas-Israeli war in Gaza is crucial due to significant number of civilian casualties, including women and children.
"The world says it is a genocide," he remarked at the interfaith dialogue attended by President of the Slovak Bishops' Conference, Mgr. Bernard Bober, and Apostolic Nuncio Nicola Girasoli.
In seeking a permanent solution to the prolonged conflict, Indonesia supports the United Nations' two-state solution, he remarked, adding that Indonesia also pushes related parties to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
Since the start of the war, Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had initiated to meet both the presidents of Ukraine and Russia in an effort to put an immediate end to the armed conflict, he remarked.
"Mr. President came to Ukraine and to Russia for peace," he stated.
At the forum, Amin appealed to religious leaders around the world to contribute to endeavors to seek peaceful solutions to various conflicts. One of the efforts they could make was through interfaith dialogue.
To this end, he underlined the importance of strengthening moderation and tolerance in religious life, as moderation was an important instrument for preventing conflict and promoting a peaceful world order.
Related news: Indonesia calls for two-state solution to end Gaza conflict: FM
Before being in Slovakia, a landlocked country in Central Europe whose official name is Slovak Republic, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin had visited Athens, Greece, during which he met with the country's political and religious figures.
On November 27, he met with First Vice-President of the Hellenic Parliament Ioannis Ioshf Plakiotakis, and on November 28, he met with Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos II.
At his meeting with Plakiotakis, Amin called on the Hellenic Parliament to collaborate to strengthen tolerance and respect for followers of different religions amid the inconducive global situation.
According to Vice President Amin, Indonesia and Greece need to continue efforts to promote interfaith tolerance and be good role models of how to maintain interfaith unity amid the unconducive global situation.
"The global situation is unconducive. Several parts of the world witness cases of religious intolerance and discrimination and acts of destroying houses of worship," he remarked.
At the meeting, Amin also highlighted the fact that as a Muslim-majority country, Indonesia has shown that Muslims can live in peaceful co-existence with followers of other religions.
The values of tolerance and respect for followers of different religions are also embedded in Greece, he remarked.
Due to the shared values, Indonesia and Greece can continue to work together to contribute to efforts to create a peaceful and harmonious world, Amin remarked.
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Translator: Indra AP, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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