Australia Seeks to Learn from Indonesia's Interfaith Dialogue Practices

Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Matt Thistlethwaite, stated that his country is seeking to enhance its understanding of interfaith dialogue practices by visiting the Istiqlal Mosque and the Jakarta Cathedral on Wednesday. Thistlethwaite brought Imam Shadi Alsuleiman, a leader from the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), as part of a delegation to learn about the methods of teaching Islam employed by the imams and administrators of Istiqlal Mosque. “My visit to this mosque aims to build friendship by bringing one of Australia’s leading imams here to learn from the imams and mosque administrators about teaching Islam, respect, and friendship. That is a lesson for all of us,” Thistlethwaite told the media at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta. He explained that the Australian government wants to strengthen its relationship with Indonesia, including with its people who represent the largest Muslim population in Asia. Thistlethwaite praised the way the Indonesian Government and its people promote a form of Islam that respects differences and builds cross-cultural and interfaith relationships, specifically pointing to the ‘Tunnel of Friendship’ that connects the Istiqlal Mosque and the Jakarta Cathedral. He noted that the Australian government is also intensifying its efforts to increase respect among religious communities and to foster engagement and dialogue between various faith groups. Australia, he added, has appointed an ambassador and special envoy for Islamic affairs who has been conducting research and seeking the best ways to advance religious tolerance and mutual respect in Australia. “We also want to ensure that our political leaders engage with Indonesian political leaders to jointly encourage interfaith dialogue. That is why I brought one of Australia’s leading imams here today as a symbol of an approach that upholds interfaith dialogue,” he added.