Embassy of India

Jakarta

Press Release

1^st India Indonesia Interfaith Dialogue

(Yogyakarta, 3-5 October 2018)

“Sharing of Best Practices, Lessons Learnt and Way Forward”

   The 1^st India Indonesia Interfaith Dialogue (IIID) was held in Yogyakarta on 3-5 October 2018. A seven member delegation from India was led by Hon’ble M.J. Akbar, Minister of State of External Affairs (MOS MJA). The Indonesian delegation was led by Hon’ble A.M. Fachir, Vice Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs.

2. It may be recalled that during the visit of the Prime Minister of India to Indonesia on 29-31 May 2018, both Leaders had agreed to organize an Interfaith Dialogue in order to reiterate the importance of promoting pluralism that would lead to true civilizational harmony and moderation, and to eradicate radicalism. Pursuant to that committment, the 1^st IIID was held as an innovative mechanism to promote pluralism and tolerance as well as to provide a platform for Indonesian and Indian religious scholars, youth and civil society leaders to join hands in improving relations across religions and cultures, combat prejudice, tackle radicalism and build conducive conditions for long-term peace.

3. The IIID in Yogyakarta comprised of a Forum Discussion, visits to places of worship, and dialogues between Hindu, Islamic, Christian, and Buddhist religious leaders of both countries. The participating delegates visit Prambanam and Borobodur Temples, along withZen Ling Gong Temple, HKBP Church, Santo Antonius Catholic Church and Syuhada Mosque in Yogyakarta. Detailed program outline of the 1^st IIID is enclosed at Annexures I.

4. During the discussions, delegates shared their common commitment to ancient philosophies of ‘Bhinneka Tunggal Ika’ or ‘Unity in Diversity’ and ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘The world is one family’. The Joint Statement released on the completion of the 1^st IIID is enclosed at Annexures II.

5. On the sidelines of the 1^st IIID, MOS MJA will also deliver a public lecture at the Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University on “Faith, Politics and Polity: The Crisis of Distortion”, which will be attended by more than 300 students on 4^th October. Earlier today, MOS MJA delivered a memorial lecture at the prestigious Gajah Mada University on Gandhiji@150, where he also unveiled a Photo Exhibit on Gandhiji and inaugurated a Film Festival on movies and documentaries showcasing the life of Gandhiji.

6. In his closing keynote address, MOS MJA welcomed the timing of the 1^st IIID to coincide with the 150^th Birth Anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi and stated that there could be no better symbol for Interfaith Dialogue than Mahatma Gandhi ji. He thanked the Indonesian side for the excellent arrangement for the delegation at Yogyakarta and extended an invitation for Indonesia to attend the 2^nd India Indonesia Interfaith Dialogue in India in 2019.

3^rd October 2018
Yogyakarta (Indonesia)
Enclosures: As above(with select pictures of the 1^st IIID)

Annexures I

The 1st Indonesia - India Interfaith Dialogue (IIID)

Joint Statement/Outcome Document

Shared Past, Stronger Future: Lessons Learnt and Way Forward

1. The 1st Indonesia - India Interfaith Dialogue was held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia from 3-5 October 2018. Mr. M.J. Akbar, Minister of State for External Affairs, Government of India led the Indian delegation and the Indonesian delegation was led by H.E. A.M. Fachir, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs (members of each country delegation is attached). The 1st Indonesia – India Interfaith Dialogue was officiated by Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

2. The participating delegates visited Prambanam Temples, along with Zen Ling Gong Temple, HKBP Church, Santo Antonius Catholic Church and Syuhada Mosque in Yogyakarta.

3. The Indonesian side had organized a public lecture at the Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University, Yogyakarta. The rector of the University gave an opening remarks prior to the lecture by H.E. M.J. Akbar.

4. During three-day long IIID, religious leaders, scholars and academia from India and Indonesia, the two highly multi- religious and multi-ethnic societies in the world, had an in depth exchange of view and ideas in an effort to strengthen inter-faith and inter-community harmony. They shared best practices in legal, socio-economic and educational fields that help to promote the spirit of peace and acceptance and understanding of diversity.

5. The delegates shared their common commitment to ‘Bhinneka Tunggal Ika’ or ‘Unity in Diversity’. They agreed that IIID has the potential to emerge as an effective forum to nurture peace and harmony not only in the two countries but also in the region and in the world based on the ancient philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘The world is a family’. IIID can play an important role to promote harmony in a pluralistic society.

6. The delegates said that all religions are based on peace for all mankind and that it is a crime against God to use religion as a platform to incite hate, conflict, violence, war or terrorism. They expressed concern at the global trend towards insularity and felt that this could lead to greater social tensions and strife in the world. They cautioned against temptation to exploit radical and extremist ideology for political gains that not only afflicts the minds of individuals but also destroys societies by attacking the foundation of trust and understanding. They also agreed that terrorism in all its forms must be condemned with one voice. They underscored that academia and civil societies, by reinforcing appropriate education with multi-faith consciousness and human values, can play an important role in combating prejudice and eradicating radicalism.

7. The delegates recognized the importance of interfaith and faith-based organizations and religious leaders in fostering a culture of peace and preventing violent extremism in the world and agreed on the need to enhance partnership to realize practical and concrete cooperation among interfaith and faith-based organizations as well as religious and traditional leaders with policy makers between India and Indonesia so as to promote harmony and peace.

8. The delegates reaffirmed the shared principles as anchored in Indonesian and Indian societies and endeavoured to the following Plan of Action:

Media and Advocacy

a) Take concrete steps to address hate speech and to counter hate, bullying and discrimination through positive speech, tolerance and constructive dialogue amongst the vulnerable;

b) Foster partnership among interfaith and faith-based organizations as well as religious and traditional leaders with aim to promote a culture of peace and inter-religious and inter-cultural constructive dialogue;

c) Develop a plan that spreads the message of the 1st IIID regularly by engaging with all relevant stakeholders across social media platforms.

Education& Culture

a) Student exchange programme between eminent scholars of India and Indonesia

b) Address by eminent Interfaith scholars at think tank/universities

c) Introduce peace education as part of the school curriculum, university programmes and theological institutions to promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among human beings in all their diversity of religion, belief, culture and language.

d) Share success stories and good practices of peaceful coexistence among different religions and cultures of India and Indonesia;

Preventing Violent Extremism

a) Create a platform that encourages the soft power of religion in preventing violent extremism, instrumentalization of religion and religiously motivated violence;

b) Sharing mutual success stories and experiences in deradicalization

c) Call on religious leaders to provide a practical example in their common rejection of violence and to stand for the defense of values of diversity and respect for life and the dignity of human rights.  

9. H.E. Mr. M.J. Akbar, Minister of State of External Affairs of India thanked the Indonesian Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs for all the excellent arrangements in Yogyakarta and extended the invitation to the Indonesian side to hold the 2nd edition of India-Indonesia Interfaith dialogue in India in 2019.

Annexures II

Program Outline of 1^st India Indonesia Interfaith Dialogue

Delegation List of 1^st India Indonesia Interfaith Dialogue

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