Bali forum urges interfaith studies

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.