Indonesia Positions Itself as Global Hub for Interfaith Harmony
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, on Saturday expressed confidence that the country is poised to become a global center for interfaith harmony, emphasizing that safeguarding unity is an essential expression of faith.
“Allow me to say with confidence that Indonesia will become a home for global harmony — a home built not of bricks and cement but of trust, respect and recognition of human dignity as God’s creation,” Umar said during an interfaith dialogue held at the ministry’s headquarters in Jakarta.
He noted that Indonesia has long earned admiration not only for its cultural richness and hospitality but also for its ability to align religious principles with national cohesion. The minister warned that humanity’s future must not be shaped by hostile rivalries, which risk triggering destructive conflict, fragmentation, and large-scale devastation.
Umar stressed the need for genuine harmony among diverse communities — both between and within religions — and called for expanded government engagement to strengthen a climate of mutual respect.
“We must unite under one noble calling: the brotherhood of humanity,” he added.
During the event, Umar witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on interfaith cooperation between the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the World Muslim League (WML), represented by its Secretary-General, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa.
Umar recalled that Al-Issa had recently described Indonesia as a role model for countries seeking to preserve unity in highly diverse societies. The WML leader made the comments after his meeting with President Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on December 4.
“Indonesia is a role model — an excellent and inspiring example for Islamic countries on how to preserve harmony amid extraordinary religious and ethnic diversity,” Al-Issa said in a statement.
