Australians not well versed with Indonesian version of Islam
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Indonesian version of Islam, which is moderate, is not well understood in Australia and Indonesians have little knowledge of Australian Islam, says Philip Flood, the chairman of Australia Indonesia Institute (AII) Board.
"Islam in Indonesia shows how that religion can be a force for peace and Australians need to be better aware of this," Flood said in a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday.
With his excellent Indonesian language skills, Tim Lindsey, a member of the delegation, impressed local journalists during the conference, which was also attended by Elizabeth O'Neill, the public affairs counselor from the Australian Embassy in Jakarta.
Flood, a former Australian ambassador to Indonesia, said he and his delegation had received the strong impression that religious diversity enriches and strengthens Indonesian society but there is a scope for improving mutual understanding of the role of Islam in both countries.
He said that Australia does not have a problem with Islam.
"More people here understand that Australia respects Islam and we don't have a problem with Islam. We have a problem with only radical terrorists," he said.
During the last year, AII board has facilitated the visits to Australia of some of Indonesia's prominent Islamic leaders and scholars and visits by leaders of the Australian Muslim community.
Currently, there are 400,000 Muslims, and about 100 mosques in Australia. The Australian government gives funds to 20 Islamic schools.
"The board has committed itself to developing this program of exchanges in Australia and Indonesia, complemented by a program of sandwich Master-level scholarships for Muslim teachers," he said.
"The board will continue its well-developed program of media exchanges, with the next event being a visit of Australian editors to Indonesia at the end of this month," Flood said.
The AII -- established in 1989 by the Australian government to develop relations between Australia and Indonesia by promoting mutual understanding and people-to-people contact -- supports many projects in the fields of arts, youth affairs, governance, interfaith issues, media and sports.
Flood and his team members came to Indonesia on a routine annual visit on Sunday and would return home on Saturday.
During their stay in Jakarta and Medan, North Sumatra, they will hold discussions with ministers, academicians, politicians, media and the non-governmental organizations.