New Delhi

A day-long interfaith conference on the role of ulema in fostering a culture of interfaith peace and social harmony in Indonesia and India is being held at the India Islamic Culture Centre in New Delhi.

The conference was inaugurated by National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval.

The keynote adress was delivered by the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Dr Mohammed Mahfud. M.D.

Adressing the conference, Dr Mahfud emphasised the role of the ulema contributing immensely to foster a culture of interfaith peace and social harmony in Indonesia. He stressed on the peaceful coexistence in his country and the rejection of intolerance and discrimination by all faiths.

Incidentally, Indonesia is home to the world’s largest muslim population with India’s population, the third largest.

Delegates at the conference

Dr Mahfud said,” In fact, the Ulama and other religious leaders, have been crucial parts of Indonesia's harmonious society since the beginning of Indonesia's history, from the time of the struggle to gain freedom from colonial powers, until the current modern times.”

“Now religious leaders are playing an important role in supporting government policies in development toward a better living conditions and prosperity of the people,” he added.

During his speech, Dr Mahfud dwelt upon the pluralistic society in Indonesia. “Its people are bound by the State ideology Pancasila, Pancasila is the five basic principles of the State of the Republic of Indonesia, namely, Believe in God, Humanity, Unity, Democracy, and Social Justice.”

“Religion, I think, should be a source of peace, not reason for discord, conflict, or violence. Religion should be a unifying tool, not to divisive instrument,” he said.

Delegates from Indonesia include ulema from different Islamic organisations as well as religious leaders from other faiths in the country.

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The first session during the day-long conference is on Islam: Continuity and Change. In the second session, the conference will look at issue of embracing and experiencing communalism in an inter-religious society.