Interfaith Greetings Resonate Once Again at UN General Assembly
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The interfaith greetings that serve as a symbol of Indonesian unity resonated once again at the United Nations (UN), as Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono delivered them to open Indonesia’s national statement at the 8th1st Session of the UN General Assembly.
“Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, Shalom, Salve, Om Swastiastu, Namo Buddhaya, Rahayu, may peace be with us all,” said Sugiono, beginning Indonesia’s national statement delivered before the UN General Assembly in New York on Saturday local time.
As monitored via live broadcast in Jakarta on Sunday, the interfaith greetings drew applause from the delegates present at the UN’s annual session.
Addressing the UN General Assembly, Sugiono emphasised the importance of national resilience as the foundation for regional and global resilience.
In fostering national resilience, Indonesia has successfully maintained unity amidst diverse ethnic groups, as reflected in the national motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), the Foreign Minister stated.
“From Aceh to Papua, from Miangas to Rote, Indonesia is one nation,” said the Foreign Minister.
Concluding his approximately 17-minute speech, Sugiono once again extended interfaith greetings to the delegates at the UN annual session.
“Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, Shalom, Salve, Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om, Namo Buddhaya, Rahayu,” he said, which was met with applause from the audience.
The Foreign Minister’s greetings this year demonstrate that Indonesia’s interfaith salutations are being reinstated at the UN General Assembly, following President Prabowo Subianto’s use of the same greetings to close his speech at the 80th UN General Assembly last year.
He stated that Arabs, Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, and followers of all faiths must live as one large human family, respecting differences to achieve harmony and a peaceful future.
“Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, Shalom, Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om, Namo Buddhaya. Thank you very much. May God bless us all, may peace be with us all,” concluded Prabowo, met with applause from the delegates.