Jakarta (Antara Megapolitan) - A national dialog should be held to promote greater understanding among people of various religions in the country, Ma'ruf Amin, the advisory board chairman of Indonesia's major Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), has suggested.
Such a dialog can help prevent suspicions and prejudices that could lead to misunderstanding, according to Ma'ruf Amin, who is also the general chairman of the Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI).
"There are incorrect presumptions. This is not good if left unheeded because it has the potential to disrupt the unity of the nation. So, communications for all elements need to be built," he said in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He said the national dialog is expected to be organized after a peaceful joint prayer gathering to be held at the National Monument (Monas) square on December 2, 2016.
There must be a new consensus to defend the unitary state of Indonesia and the nation's unity in diversity, the NU leader and MUI chairman stressed. All sides must not see religion exclusively and in an extreme manner, he remarked.
It is important for religious leaders in the country to see objectively the diversity of Indonesia so that they adopt a moderate stance without, of course, sacrificing the basic principle of their religion. (Ant).
EDITED BY: Bustanuddin.
NU Chairman Sugests National Dialog
Rabu, 30 November 2016 6:10 WIB
Ketua Umum Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) Pusat, Maruf Amin (kiri) bersama Wakil Sekretaris Jenderal MUI Tengku Zulkarnain (tengah), saat memberikan keterangan Pers di Jakarta. (ANTARA FOTO/Rivan Awal Lingga/Dok).
There are incorrect presumptions. This is not good if left unheeded because it has the potential to disrupt the unity of the nation. So, communications for all elements need to be built.
