Education plays a crucial role in promoting peaceful coexistence and multi-faith collaboration in an increasingly global and pluralistic world, expert staff to the minister, Muhammad Adlin Sila, stated while reading out Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Minister Makarim's statement.
"Teachers have a strategic role in educating about and promoting peaceful coexistence. As learning facilitators, teachers can provide real examples in appreciating and respecting differences," he remarked during the International Conference on Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy.
Sila affirmed that education based on promoting diversity can develop students' critical awareness, create a broader perspective, and help them develop a greater appreciation for other groups' contributions to society.
He said that some activities that can be carried out in schools to promote peaceful coexistence are observing Diversity Day, discussing case studies about social awareness issues, or studying historical events about the success of cross-cultural and multi-faith collaboration.
"Educational institutions can be an 'arena' where constructive dialogue on religious issues can take place openly and empirically," he stated.
Hence, the ministry highlighted the need for teachers to receive professional training in the fields of literacy, religion, and culture to equip them to teach sensitive topics in an inclusive and unbiased manner.
In addition, Presidential Regulation Number 58 of 2023 concerning the Strengthening of Religious Moderation has become the legal basis for ministries and agencies to coordinate their efforts to strengthen multi-faith dialogue at the elementary, secondary, and higher education levels.
Sila stated that Minister Makarim plans to meet with Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas to discuss including religious moderation as a subject in campus orientation.
"Well-trained teachers can become agents of peace, both in the classroom and in daily life," Makarim noted in his statement.
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Translator: Nabil I, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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