Indonesian VP Encourages Muslims in Slovakia to Promote Moderate Islam
Translator
Antara
Editor
Petir Garda Bhwana
Senin, 27 November 2023 21:31 WIB
Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin (center) holds a meeting with local halal industry players in Bratislava, Slovakia, on November 26, 2023. (ANTARA/Indra Arief Pribadi)
TEMPO.CO, Bratislava, Slovakia - Indonesian Vice President Ma’ruf Amin has encouraged the Muslim community in Slovakia to promote moderate and tolerant Islam in Europe.
During a meeting with the Islamic Foundation in Slovakia and some local Islamic figures in Bratislava on Sunday, Amin said that religious moderation is the right viewpoint to implement in religious life to offer benefits to society without ignoring religious teachings.
“Religious moderation involves adopting viewpoints, attitudes, and religious practices that protect human dignity and provide public benefits without being reductive or neglecting religious teachings,” he remarked.
Amin also underlined the importance of implementing religious moderation by adapting to local wisdom and diversity.
“Religious moderation must be reflected in religious behavior that is accommodating to local wisdom and the context of diversity, as well as developments in times that are dynamic and changing very quickly,” he remarked.
He affirmed that religious moderation is essential for fostering inclusivity in inter-religious life.
“Inclusive and moderate religious expression is essential, for example, through inter-religious and intercultural dialogue for tolerance between religious believers, respecting religious freedom, and strengthening social ethics and universal values in preventing potential interfaith conflicts,” he stated.
Amin informed the Islamic Foundation in Slovakia that Indonesia is a pluralistic country with diverse religions and ethnicities. It upholds the principle of equal status for all citizens and complies with applicable laws.
“We also have the motto of national life Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) as well as the ideology and state foundation of Pancasila,” he remarked.
Director of the Islamic Foundation in Slovakia, Mohamad Safwan Hasna, and some officials of the foundation attended the meeting.
