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)