Impressions of the Second Interfaith Dialogue between Serbia and Indonesia
On Monday, November 25th 2013, on the occasion of the Second Interfaith Dialogue between Serbia and Indonesia which was successfully organized in Jakarta in October 2013, the Association of Serbian-Indonesian Friendship “Nusantara” in cooperation with the Belgrade City Library organized a panel discussion “Reflections on the Second Interfaith Dialogue between Serbia and Indonesia”. The speakers on the panel discussion were the members of the state – religious delegation: protodeacon Radomir Rakic, editor in chief of the Information Service of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Rabbi of the Jewish Community in Serbia Isak Asiel. The guests were greeted by the Chairman of “Nusantara” Association Dr. Aleksandar Rakovic, coordinator of the First and Second Interfaith Dialogue between Serbia and Indonesia.
The speakers gave very inspiring speeches on their recent trip to Indonesia and the Second Interfaith Dialogue between Serbia and Indonesia. In the presence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia H.E. Semuel Samson and the members and friends of the Association, an Orthodox Christian and a Jew shared their impressions of the exotic country and “smiling and happy people” at the largest archipelago and the largest Muslim country in the world, saying that Indonesia is an excellent example of interfaith tolerance and unity in diversity.
Protodeacon Rakic noted that Indonesians were very religious people who frequently used the word God in their everyday speech.
Rabin Asiel said that, although Indonesia and Israel did not have diplomatic relations, Indonesian students did not hide the pleasure of meeting a rabbi and hearing his lecture. He also noted that in Indonesia it was not uncommon for people to move from one religion to another.
They underlined that it was the first time in the history of the Indonesia that an Orthodox Patriarch of any Orthodox Church visited the country. His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej had the honour to be the first one.
Indonesians successfully lead interfaith dialogues with many countries in the world, including Serbia.
Traditionally, after the presentation, the representatives of “Indofood Serbia” provided the guests with the packages of instant soups and noodles, products which are becoming increasingly popular on the markets of Serbia and the region.
