RI to host seminar on Islamic values

RI to host seminar on Islamic values

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The International Center of Islam and Pluralism (ICIP), in
cooperation with the Swiss government, is planning to organize a
seminar on Islam and universal values, and will include the 2003
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi.

The seminar, which will bring together Muslim scholars,
diplomats and academics, aims at seeking common values shared by
Islam and the world in building better understanding between
nations.

"In the discussion, we hope to find similar views on how we
can work together and share common values," Swiss Ambassador to
Indonesia Georges Martin said on Friday.

He said seeking a common understanding and dialog would be the
best way to end the ongoing misperception on Islam.

The ambassador said that Indonesia, the world's most populous
Muslim country and one of the largest democracies in the world,
would be the perfect place to show to the world that Islam and
democracy could work together.

Martin underlined that Islam should be supported in correcting
misperceptions on one of the world's great religions.

ICIP Indonesia chairman Syafii Anwar said the seminar would
focus on introducing Islam as a pluralistic and inclusive
religion.

Islam has become one of the popular topics of discussion since
the U.S. launched its global war on terrorism in 2001.

Muslim communities have been seen in a bad light following the
terrorist attacks in Washington and New York on Sept. 11, 2001,
blamed on Muslim cleric Osama bin Laden and his international
terrorist network, al-Qaeda.

The seminar is part of the commemoration of International Day
of the Francophonie, organized by the Organization Internationale
de la Francophonie (OIF), on March 18.