Bali forum urges interfaith studies<\/p>\n
Hera Diani and Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post\/Nusa Dua, Bali<\/p>\n
Leaders and scholars of some of the world's major faiths signed
\non Friday the Bali Declaration on building interfaith harmony,
\nwhich they expect to contribute to the global campaign for the
\nculture of peace and against the use of violence in the name of
\nreligion.<\/p>\n
At the conclusion of a two-day interfaith dialog organized by
\nthe Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) forum, the leaders also reaffirmed
\nthe need for all people to uphold, develop and preserve their
\nfaiths and religions in an atmosphere of peace and tolerance.<\/p>\n
Another highlight of the dialog was their call for recognition
\nof the wisdom of the various existing faiths and religions to
\nmaintain world peace and stability.<\/p>\n
The declaration was signed on the heels of fresh terror
\nattacks in London, two weeks after four blasts killed 54 people.
\nAn al-Qaeda-linked group claimed responsibility for July 7
\nbombings and July 21 attempted bombings.<\/p>\n
To translate the shared values of peace, compassion and
\ntolerance into action, the declaration provides some practical
\nsteps to be implemented in the ASEM forum's country members in
\nthe fields of education, media, society, culture and religion.<\/p>\n
The leaders and scholars, in particular, underscored the
\nimportance of education and encouraged governments linked to ASEM
\nto incorporate interfaith studies in curricula at the post-
\nelementary level.<\/p>\n
The governments also need to encourage research to define
\neducational curricula that promotes and strengthens interfaith
\ndialog, educate the society to accept and deal with diversity in
\nhopes of preventing the emergence of extremism and prejudice
\nthrough activities at the grassroots, national and regional
\nlevels.<\/p>\n
Governments, they said, also needed to prevent the
\nmarginalization of religion-based education institutions by
\nintegrating them into national education systems and goals.<\/p>\n
Michael Williams, Special Advisor to the British Foreign
\nSecretary, said the post-elementary level was a crucial point for
\nchildren to absorb the values.<\/p>\n
"There is a question in some countries regarding schools,
\nwhich here are called pesantren. Sometimes we are afraid that
\nthey have drifted away and we are afraid the institutions are
\nprone to extremism. We need to bring them closer," he explained
\nduring a media conference.<\/p>\n
Islamic boarding schools, either in Indonesia or other Muslim
\ncountries, have been linked to terrorists, who have targeted
\nWestern interests worldwide over the past several years.<\/p>\n
Arizal Effendi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Director
\nGeneral of American and European Affairs agreed that interfaith
\ncurricula was necessary at Islamic schools in this country.<\/p>\n
The Declaration also stressed the need to acknowledge the
\nlinkages between religion and culture, and promote exchanges to
\ndevelop better understanding and appreciation of the diverse
\ncultures, religions and faiths at all levels.<\/p>\n
In the field of religion and society, the Declaration
\nrecognizes poverty and economic injustice as obstacles to efforts
\nto promote interfaith harmony. The Declaration also urges
\ngovernments to combat corruption in all its forms.<\/p>\n
"Corruption has undermined religions and sacrificed people,"
\nArizal said.<\/p>\n
The governments also need to promote gender equality and
\nacknowledge the role of women in peace-building and interfaith
\ndialog, protect religious rights and freedom through legislation,
\nand accept the role of religions and faiths as partners.<\/p>\n
The delegates from 39 countries will regroup next year to
\nevaluate the implementation of the action plan. Cyprus has bid
\nfor the hosting of dialog next year.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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