Australia Seeks to Learn from Indonesia's Interfaith Dialogue Practices

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Matt Thistlethwaite, said his country is seeking to deepen its understanding of interfaith dialogue practices through a visit to the Istiqlal Mosque and Cathedral Church on Wednesday.

During the visit, Thistlethwaite brought the leader of the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), Imam Shadi Alsuleiman, as part of a delegation to learn about the methods of teaching Islam applied by the imams and managers of the Istiqlal Mosque.

“My visit to this mosque aims to build friendship by bringing one of Australia’s leading imams here to learn from the mosque’s imams and managers about the teaching of Islam, respect and friendship. That is a lesson for us all,” Thistlethwaite told the media at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta.

He said the Australian government wants to strengthen relations with Indonesia, including its people, who make up the largest Muslim population in Asia. The visit to the Istiqlal Mosque forms part of efforts to deepen bilateral ties through dialogue and cooperation between religious communities.

Thistlethwaite further praised the way the Indonesian government and Indonesian society promote an Islam that respects differences and builds cross-cultural and interfaith relations, referring to the Silaturahim Tunnel that connects the Istiqlal Mosque and Cathedral Church.

“I congratulate the Indonesian government and Indonesian society for the mutually respectful way of teaching Islam and promoting cross-cultural and interfaith friendship, which is perfectly reflected through the Silaturahim Tunnel,” he said.

He said Australia is also stepping up efforts to foster greater respect among religious communities and strengthen engagement and dialogue between various faith groups.

The Australian government, he said, has appointed an ambassador-at-large as special envoy for Islamic affairs, who has carried out research and initiatives to find the best ways to advance religious tolerance and mutual respect in Australia.

“We also want to ensure that our political leaders establish communication with Indonesian political leaders to help promote interfaith dialogue. That is why I brought a leading imam from Australia today, as a symbol of an approach that upholds interfaith dialogue,” he added.