ICIS II's Delegates meet Vice President

Jakarta, NU Online
Indonesian Vice President Yusuf Kalla, Monday (19/6), invited the delegates of the second International Conference of Islamic Scholars (ICIS II) to hold a friendly meeting in the Vice President's Palace, Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan, Central Jakarta.

The meeting was attended by Iran most-respected dignitary Ayatollah Muhammad At-Taskiri, Sudan Religious Foundation Minister Dr Azhari El-Taghani, Jordan's Prince Gazhi bin Muhammad, Oman's Religious Foundation Minister Sheikh Afdal bin Ahad Al-Khalifi, Pakistan State Minister Muhammad K. Masnal, and special delegate from Vatican's Holy See Monsigneur Khaled Akaslah.

Also present at the meeting General Chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH Hasyim Muzadi, accompanied by KH Said Aqil Siradj, Indonesian Muslim organization leaders and International Islamic scholars.

At that occasion, Yusuf Kalla highlighted that both state "Pancasila" ideology and Islamic values support implementation of principles of democratization and tolerance. According to Kalla, Pancasila as the final choice of most Indonesia's Muslim founding fathers constitutes existing awareness dealing with inevitably plurality.

"Pancasila and Islamic values have the same dimensions in promoting democracy and tolerance and respecting justice and law enforcement in Indonesia. Started from these principles, Indonesia has fully appreciated the religious values, say that respecting pluralism values and dialogue to achieve justice and prosperity," Kalla said. 

He suggested that as the world's largest Muslim populous country, Pancasila values have all of the time been relevant to be a guide, for it consists of universally Islamic tenets, such as democracy, humanism commitment, and law awareness.
 
"We need to build a mutual understanding. Admitting plurality is the key for us. Dialogue constitutes the very effective way in nature. These values are supported by Islamic teachings in accordance with the peace and tolerance principles," he added. 

Hopefully, ICIS II enables us to prevent nations' domestic conflicts. In additon, the great event might be a means to understand and share knowledge and experience one another. "That is not only a must but also a need," Kalla said. (nam)