NZ to hold symposium on Islam in Indonesia

NZ to hold symposium on Islam in Indonesia

JAKARTA: The New Zealand Asia Institute, Auckland University and the Indonesian Embassy in New Zealand are scheduled to hold a symposium with the theme: "Overlooking Indonesia: Openness, Religious Harmony and Globalization."

The embassy said in a statement on Tuesday that the one-day symposium would be held at Auckland University's conference center on March 19.

The symposium is aimed at improving understanding among New Zealanders about Islam and Muslims in Indonesia, and to help them comprehend Islam from economic, political, historical, cultural and social perspectives.

The symposium will features noted figures, including secretary general of the Association of Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals Marwah Daud and former minister of religious affairs Tarmizi Taher as speakers.

It will also present academics and representatives from the New Zealand government, parliament, private sector and nongovernmental organizations as speakers, including Tim Behrend, Eric van Reijn, Jim Veitch, Andrew Renton-green and David Kirsey. -- Antara