Conference to discuss image of Islam

Conference to discuss image of Islam

JAKARTA: The International Conference of Islamic Scholars,
scheduled to take place on Feb. 23, 2004, will not only discuss
religious issues, but the image of Islam in Indonesia.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said an
appropriate image of Islam was needed to counter opinions that
pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) were a breeding ground for
terrorists.

"Pesantren are different to Afghanistan's madrasah, which are
considered a breeding ground for terrorists," he told a hearing
with House of Representatives legislators here on Wednesday.

Hassan was responding to a question on why the foreign
ministry, not the religious affairs ministry, would host the
conference.

He said his ministry had been cooperating with Nahdlatul Ulama
(NU), the country's largest Islamic organization, in holding the
international event.

Muslim scholars from around the world will take part in the
conference, which will be followed by visits to Yogyakarta and
Surabaya. -- JP