Jose Ramos-Horta Praises Indonesian Unity, Appreciates Role of NU and Muhammadiyah

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta has praised Indonesia’s success in maintaining interfaith moderation and national unity, positioning the nation as a global example of harmony. Speaking after his presentation at the ‘Leadership Lecture’ organised by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), he specifically highlighted the immense role of the Islamic organisations Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah in strengthening national integration.

“Two large Muslim organisations in Indonesia, namely Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama, have succeeded in keeping Indonesia a very tolerant nation,” the President of Timor-Leste stated in Jakarta on Tuesday. He noted that the involvement of these two religious organisations demonstrates the vital importance of religious leaders and academics, alongside the government, in maintaining social harmony.

He remarked that Indonesia is increasingly becoming a role model for maintaining societal harmony despite its diverse ethnicities and religions living side by side. He noted that such differences often serve as a ‘recipe’ for conflict and instability in other countries. As the newest member of ASEAN, the President of Timor-Leste also expressed his desire to encourage conflict prevention efforts at both the regional and member-state levels.

Furthermore, he mentioned that Indonesia successfully projected an image of a highly tolerant nation during the visit of Pope Francis to Jakarta from 2–6 September 2024. Ramos-Horta highlighted the moment when the Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque, Nasaruddin Umar, kissed the forehead of Pope Francis during an interfaith meeting at the mosque on 5 September 2024.

“That moment was very beautiful, and the widely circulated photograph had a very significant positive impact on the world,” said the President of Timor-Leste. He also expressed being deeply moved by the sight of the Jakarta Cathedral standing majestically opposite the Istiqlal Mosque, which further reinforced the impression of Indonesian tolerance. “In the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, there is a cathedral living right in its midst; I hope it can continue to be so,” he added.