Islamic congress to open on Tuesday

Islamic congress to open on Tuesday

AMBON, Maluku: The three-day Islamic congress will open on
Tuesday in spite of the ongoing communal conflict between Muslims
and Christians, Antara reported on Monday.

"There is no reason to postpone the meeting, even if the
situation is not conducive," Lutfy Sanaky, head of the organizing
committee, said.

The congress aimed at consolidating the vision and mission of
Muslims in the province, especially in view of the communal
conflict. The gathering, which will bring together some 2,000
people from various islands in Maluku, will also find ways of
resolving the current conflict.

National leaders who will address the congress include Muslim
intellectuals Nurcholish Madjid and Adi Sasono and former chief
of general affairs of the military Lt. Gen. Suaidy Marasabessy.

People's Consultative Assembly chairman Amien Rais and House
of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung canceled their
scheduled appearance at the last minute, the organizers said.
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