News

The World Muslim Communities Council (TWMCC) organised on Thursday, 29 September 2023, a symposium entitled 'The Role of Religious Leaders in Peacemaking' on the sidelines of the Indonesia International Book Fair, held in Jakarta, Indonesia, with the participation of several intellectual leaders representing the most important religious and social components in Indonesia.

The symposium participants presented their ideas about the role that religious leaders can play in order to make peace in societies, consolidate the values of tolerance and coexistence, and achieve societal security that helps countries ensure political stability, and societal and economic prosperity.

On his part, Dr. Suhadi Cholil, Dean of the Faculty of Education, The University of Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta-Indonesia, discussed the role played by the university and the Nahdlatul Ulama association —the second largest Muslim religious association in Indonesia, whose membership includes tens of millions — stressing that the Nahdlatul Ulama adopts the Islamic approach. He added that the University also follows in the footsteps of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in its understanding of religion, and always seeks to raise its children in religious schools and universities to coexist with non-Muslims, respect their beliefs, and teach them about other religions so that ignorance of the other is not a reason for intolerance against them.

Meanwhile, Dr. Yulianti Muthmainnah, Professor of Islamic Studies at Muhammadiyah Society - the largest Muslim religious organization in Indonesia, its membership includes more than 70 million Muslims and has 187 universities throughout Indonesia-, highlighted that Muhammadiyah Society are keen to accept non-Muslims among their students. She noted that their educational curriculum is based on teaching Islamic and Christian beliefs to all students. They also train their students practically on how to apply the values of coexistence, tolerance, and peace-building in their community.

On his part, Dr. Isaac Lato, Dean of the Faculty of Theology at Satya Wacana Christian University, reviewed his academic experience through writing, publishing, and teaching, which aims to promote the values of coexistence and peace-building among all components of society.

The symposium concluded with the necessity of following practical curricula based on training, practical practice, and community participation among young people of different religions, to be a vivid life experience through which they acquire the deep values of coexistence and peace-building.

TWMCC is an international non-governmental organisation, established on 8 May 2018 in Abu Dhabi. It includes more than 900 Islamic organisations and institutions from 142 countries. It is a think tank to help organisations and associations operating in Muslim communities, renew their thinking, improve their performance, and coordinate their joint work.