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.