JAKARTA: The Muslim Council of Elders’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Islamic Book Fair organised a cultural seminar titled ‘The role of religious institutions in supporting global peace through the experiences of the Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah Associations’.
The seminar was presented by Dr. Muhammad Quraish Shihab, a member of the Muslim Council of Elders and former Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia; Dr. Abdul Mu’ti, Secretary-General of the Muhammadiyah Association; and Dr. Uli al-Absar Abdullah, representative of the Nahdlatul Ulama.
Muhammad Arifin, Director of the Al-Azhar Centre for Arabic Language Teaching in Jakarta, moderated the seminar held in the main theatre of the exhibition and attended by a large audience. The participants discussed pioneering experiences by various religious and international institutions in the field of spreading and fostering peace.
At the forefront is the Muslim Council of Elders, an independent international body established in 2
014 under the leadership of His Eminence Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and President of the Muslim Council of Elders.
The Council includes a number of the most prominent scholars, experts, and dignitaries of the Muslim world known for their wisdom, moderation, justice, and independence. The Council aims to promote peace and spread and enhance the values of dialogue, tolerance, and human coexistence.
The seminar also highlighted the experiences of the Muhammadiyah Association and Nahdlatul Ulama, the two major Islamic organisations in Indonesia, which were awarded the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity on 4th February 2024. These organisations have played a significant role in promoting peace not only in Indonesia but also internationally.
At the beginning of the seminar, Dr. Muhammad Quraish Shihab, member of the Muslim Council of Elders and former Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, stated that the Council seeks, through its various efforts and initiatives, to
spread and promote the values of peace, tolerance, and human coexistence.
He explained the Council had organised seven rounds of dialogue between East and West, culminating in the signing of the most important document in modern human history, the Document on Human Fraternity, signed by Al-Azhar’s Grand Imam, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, and Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church, in Abu Dhabi in 2019.
The Muslim Council of Elders is participating for the third consecutive time with a special booth at the 22nd edition of the Indonesia International Islamic Book Fair 2024, which is being held from 14-18 August in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. The Council’s participation aligns with its mission to promote peace, reinforce the values of dialogue and tolerance, and build bridges of cooperation among people of different races and beliefs. The pavilion, located in JCC Hall A and B, features more than 220 publications in various languages that address key intellectual and cultural issues, aiming to correct m
isconceptions and promote enlightened moderate thought.
Source : Emirates News Agency