Soeharto calls for Islamic moderation

Soeharto calls for Islamic moderation

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto yesterday called on Islamic leaders in Southeast Asia to preach moderation.

Addressing a meeting of ministers from the region who oversee Islamic affairs, Soeharto said religious extremism has no place in society, at least in Indonesia.

"Moderation, which means self-restraint, self control, draws more sympathy," he said when opening the conference at the State Palace.

Taking part in the one-day meeting were ministers from Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore. The Philippines and Thailand, which have sizable Moslem communities, take part as observers in this informal annual meeting.

Soeharto said religious conflicts that have occurred in Indonesia in the past were exceptional incidents in a society which has always loved to live in peace.

The ministers endorsed a number of proposals that have been drafted by their senior officials during meetings here since Saturday.

Indonesia's Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher said that the ministers agreed to establish Islamic information centers in their respective capital cities, with a view to eventually opening up a regional center.

The ministers also considered exploiting the Internet to intensify Islamic propagation activities in their respective countries and in the region.

Taking part in the meeting were Brunei Religious Affairs Minister Zain Bin Haji Serudin, Minister in the Malaysian Prime Minister's Office Abdul Hamid Bin Othman, Singapore Minister responsible for Islamic Affairs Abdullah bin Tarmugi, and Tarmizi. (01)