Jakarta, NU Online
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono (SBY) officially opened the second International Conference of Islamic Scholars (ICIS) at Jakarta's Borobudur Hotel, Tuesday (20/6). The forum attended by more than 200 Muslim intellectuals from 53 countries, aims to create a new moderate Muslim movement, which will promote religious tolerance worldwide, especially in the Islamic countries
The president hit a sound barking, accompanied by the Secretary General of ICIS KH Hasyim Muzadi, as the General Chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), Vice General Chairman of PBNU KH Tolhah Chasan, Indonesia's Religious Affairs Minister Maftuh Basyuni, and the Organizing Committee Rozy Munir.
<>The forum, organized by Indonesia's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), has the theme of upholding Islam as a rahmatan lil-alamin (blessing for the universe) and has been convened to encourage global justice and peace.
Presiden Yudoyono said to show Islam as rahmat (blessing) for the universe, all participants were expected to contribute as many contribution as possible in order to stop globally injustice and violence.
"ICIS II may hopefully play important role in overcoming any conflict in Asia, Africa and other regions all over the world whether among Muslims, religious people, and any other global conflict," President Said.
President also suggested the importance of Muslims to focus on economic issues. As for him, Islamic laws such as zakat, infaq and shodaqah could ideally be an inspiration and primary capital in straightening up nation's economic matters.
"Allah Almighty would not straighten up us unless we straighten up ourselves," Presiden said, referring to one of the Qur'anic verses.
Previously, the Secretary General of ICIS KH Hasyim Muzadi highlighted that the three-day meeting is continuation of the first in Jakarta 2004.
"The first ICIS paid more attention to the evenly platform that was Islam as rahmatan lil alamin well-known as Jakarta's Declaration, then it raised such a decision as action plan. The second ICIS is to step forward in solvable manner dealing with the existing programs or to address the ones that enable us in responding to people needs," Hasyim said.
According to Hasyim, the ICIS is aimed at preserving moderate Islam, regardless of ideology and sect. "What we see is its vision so we can predict whether it is Syiah, Wahabi, or Sunni. But we do see how Islam maintained moderately in nature."
The opening of ICIS was closed by prayer by turns, started from Sheikh Umar Hasyim, the former Rector of Al-Azhar University Egypt, Ayatollah At-Tazkiri, the most-respected dignitary from Iran, KH Said Aqil Siradj, and General Chairman of PBNU, representing Indonesian ulamas. (nam)
