Indonesia, Austria Launch a Book About Religion Pluralism
3 November 2013 11:10 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia–Austria launch a book entitled 'Pluralisme Agama dan Kebebasan Beragama' (Religion Pluralism and Religious Freedom). The book is a fruit of symposium and inter-religion dialog between these two countries.
"The book is the pinnacle of a long process of series of discussion from various religion elements," claimed the book editor, Fatimah Husein, Vienna, 1 November 2013.
"The meetings or dialogs had already been started since 2008 in Amsterdam, Holland that continued in 2009 in Vienna, Austria and then in Yogyakarta September 2010," said Fatima.
The meetings were followed by a signing of joined statement between the two countries in cooperation on religious affair. The signature was witnessed first hand by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and President Heinz Fisher.
After several religious dialogs, which were held in Bali in September 2012 and in Vienna in February 2012, the book editors rush themselves in the book's making. "We worked with tight deadline to arrange the book's content," said Fatimah, who also teaches at IAIN Yogyakarta.
Another editor, Stefan Hammer, stated that he was thrilled with the book's launch, because it contains various writings from several thinker and religious figures from both countries. "This is a special treasure for the book itself," said Stefan who is a professor at a Law Faculty of University of Vienna.
Some Indonesian figures' writings that are included in the book are Azyumardi Azra, Zainal Abidin Bagir, Franz Magnis Suseno, dan Lidya Tandirerung. From Austria there are Ingeborg Gabriel, Albert Groiss, Wolfgang Muller-Frank, and Martin Rupprecht among other.
The launching was held in a simple manner at the Indonesian Embassy in Vienna, Austria, that presented a discussion and presentation from editors. The event is attended by Directorate General of Cultural Policy Foreign Affair Ministry Austria, Martin Eichtinger and Indonesia Ambassador for Austria Rachmat Budiman.
According to Martin Eichtinger, the Religion Pluralism book is a form of commitment from Austrian government in religious issue. Austrian government, said Martin, will continuously encourage religious dialogs that can result peaceful environment between religions. "Hopefully what the book offers can be the best practice in the future," concluded Martin.
TITO SIANIPAR (WINA)
