He made the statement here on Wednesday during the "Inter-faith and Inter-civilizational Welcome for the Visit of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar to Indonesia" event.
The event was held by the Nahdlatul Ulama executive board (PBNU) in collaboration with the ministry.
The event was attended by the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Muhammad Ahmed Al Tayeb, who is also chair of the Muslim Legal Council (MHM); the supreme leader of PBNU, Miftachul Akhyar; general chairperson of PBNU, Yahya Cholil Staquf; Islamic, Christian, Catholic, Hindu, Buddhist, and Confucianist figures; and representatives from various religious sects.
Minister Qoumas began his remarks by delivering greetings in six religions. He said that the greetings were Indonesia's way to maintain harmony.
"In the midst of religious diversity (Islam, Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism), beliefs, ethnicities, races, and groups, (people of) this nation can live side by side in harmony," the minister expounded.
He said that the world is not in a good state at present. Conflicts between countries, religions, and even within religions are still occurring often because of a lack of mutual understanding between components.
One of the best ways to prevent such conflicts, the minister added, is to build inter-religious and inter-civilizational dialogue.
"Universal issues such as justice, equality, peace, ecology, and the sustainability of the Earth are common issues that can bring together various components of society, religious communities, and nations," he said.
At the event, he conveyed his greetings and appreciation for the presence of the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar in Indonesia, who is on his third visit to the country after 2016 and 2018.
"This shows his love for Indonesia, the nation with the largest Muslim population. The nation with the largest number of religious adherents and beliefs. A nation that is diverse, plural, but has succeeded in building a harmonious and peaceful life," he said.
He further said he considers the Grand Sheikh as one of the religious figures who has campaigned most consistently for interfaith and inter-civilization dialogue to realize world peace.
One of his important contributions to building such dialogue was the realization of the Charter of Human Fraternity, which was signed together with Pope Francis on February 4, 2019.
"The essence of the charter is to urge all humanity to live side by side by adhering to the values of peace, mutual understanding, equality, brotherhood, coexistence, wisdom, justice, and mutual love," said the minister.
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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Katriana
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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