Bali forum urges interfaith studies
Hera Diani and Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post/Nusa Dua, Bali
Leaders and scholars of some of the world's major faiths signed on Friday the Bali Declaration on building interfaith harmony, which they expect to contribute to the global campaign for the culture of peace and against the use of violence in the name of religion.
At the conclusion of a two-day interfaith dialog organized by the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) forum, the leaders also reaffirmed the need for all people to uphold, develop and preserve their faiths and religions in an atmosphere of peace and tolerance.
Another highlight of the dialog was their call for recognition of the wisdom of the various existing faiths and religions to maintain world peace and stability.
The declaration was signed on the heels of fresh terror attacks in London, two weeks after four blasts killed 54 people. An al-Qaeda-linked group claimed responsibility for July 7 bombings and July 21 attempted bombings.
To translate the shared values of peace, compassion and tolerance into action, the declaration provides some practical steps to be implemented in the ASEM forum's country members in the fields of education, media, society, culture and religion.
The leaders and scholars, in particular, underscored the importance of education and encouraged governments linked to ASEM to incorporate interfaith studies in curricula at the post- elementary level.
The governments also need to encourage research to define educational curricula that promotes and strengthens interfaith dialog, educate the society to accept and deal with diversity in hopes of preventing the emergence of extremism and prejudice through activities at the grassroots, national and regional levels.
Governments, they said, also needed to prevent the marginalization of religion-based education institutions by integrating them into national education systems and goals.
Michael Williams, Special Advisor to the British Foreign Secretary, said the post-elementary level was a crucial point for children to absorb the values.
"There is a question in some countries regarding schools, which here are called pesantren. Sometimes we are afraid that they have drifted away and we are afraid the institutions are prone to extremism. We need to bring them closer," he explained during a media conference.
Islamic boarding schools, either in Indonesia or other Muslim countries, have been linked to terrorists, who have targeted Western interests worldwide over the past several years.
Arizal Effendi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Director General of American and European Affairs agreed that interfaith curricula was necessary at Islamic schools in this country.
The Declaration also stressed the need to acknowledge the linkages between religion and culture, and promote exchanges to develop better understanding and appreciation of the diverse cultures, religions and faiths at all levels.
In the field of religion and society, the Declaration recognizes poverty and economic injustice as obstacles to efforts to promote interfaith harmony. The Declaration also urges governments to combat corruption in all its forms.
"Corruption has undermined religions and sacrificed people," Arizal said.
The governments also need to promote gender equality and acknowledge the role of women in peace-building and interfaith dialog, protect religious rights and freedom through legislation, and accept the role of religions and faiths as partners.
The delegates from 39 countries will regroup next year to evaluate the implementation of the action plan. Cyprus has bid for the hosting of dialog next year.