Bogor Conference Afghanistan`s Step towards Peace: Jusuf Kalla  

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta -  Vice President Jusuf Kalla closed the trilateral ulema conference involving Afghanistan, Indonesia, and Pakistan at the Bogor Presidential Palace on Friday, May 11. 

According to the VP, the trilateral ulema council was held to facilitate the peace process between Afghanistan and Pakistan—two countries that have long been at loggerheads but recently decided to put an end to the conflicts. 

By holding this conference, Jusuf Kalla hoped the Afghan government and Pakistan’s Taliban would see eye to eye to strive for peace. “This is the beginning to have both parties sit together and attain peace,” said the VP today. 

Read: Jusuf Kalla Reveals Reasons behind Conflict in Islamic Nations

The ulema representatives from the three countries were invited to share their views in paving the way towards peace in the region. “We live in a time where we are not able to listen to the words of the Prophet directly, but the Muslim community can still listen to the ulemas that are the heirs of the Prophets,” said Jusuf Kalla.

The ulemas' opinions were written in the Bogor Ulema Declaration for Peace, which contains 12 points of view on peace that based on God’s message, the Holy Quran and the Prophet’s Sunnah discussed in the conference. 

VP Jusuf Kalla hoped efforts for peace would continue and prompt a larger ulema conference to contribute in the inclusive attempts towards peace. Jusuf Kalla also assured that Indonesia was set to contribute to Afghanistan’s path towards peace and other conflict-torn areas. 

FRISKI RIANA