Karling klub Vukovi

October 23, 2013 was a busy day for the Serbian state – religious delegation in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia.

“Jakarta Post” says that the visit of our state – religious delegation led by Serbian Patriarch Irinej was historic.

Our delegation was received by Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare Agung Laksono, in the presence of Indonesian Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar. Coordinating Ministry for People’s Welfare of Indonesia is the umbrella body for eight ministries.

Minister Laksono said that Indonesia and Serbia had traditionally good relations, and that the two countries are bound by ethnic and cultural diversity, and had been close for more than sixty years ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Belgrade and Jakarta.

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej underlined the historic friendship between the two countries, adding that we are all honoured to be able to cherish and improve the relations with Indonesia. Patriarch emphasized that the relationship between traditional churches and religious communities in Serbia are friendly and that interfaith cooperation achieves fruitful results. His Holiness said that he was glad to see how populous Indonesia maintains good inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations.

Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Umar explained to the guests from Serbian the role of the Ministry of Religion of Indonesia in foreign policy, cooperation with foreign churches and religious communities, and especially with Muslim communities around the world. Umar visited Serbia few months ago and said that Indonesia continues providing scholarships to Serbian students who choose to continue their education in that country.

Director of the Office for Cooperation with Churches and Religious Communities Mileta Radojevic conveyed the message of the President of Serbia, Tomislav Nikolic to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono that “he highly appreciates the support that Indonesia is giving to Serbia’s vital interest – the preservation of Serbia’s integrity and non-recognition of Kosovo’s independence.” Radojevic also conveyed the message of Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic saying that he is looking forward to a ministerial-level meeting between the two countries, and the expansion of bilateral cooperation. Radojevic indicated that the state – religious delegation of Serbia was a good example and could convey its experience, but was also ready to accept the experience of Indonesia in the field of interfaith relations.

Minister Laksono expressed his gratitude on behalf of the President and Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia and said that it was Indonesia’s unwavering position not to recognize “self-proclaimed independence of Kosovo.”

For an interfaith conference addressing issues related to religious and cultural diversity, Indonesia has formed a state religious delegation comprising officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Religion as well as university professors of Muslim, Protestant, Catholic, Hindu, Buddhist, Confucian and Orthodox denominations. The representatives of the state of Serbia, Serbian Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church in Serbia, Islamic and Jewish communities in Serbia spoke at the conference. Therefore, we must emphasize that the second bilateral interfaith dialogue between Serbia and Indonesia was a meeting of all the major religions of the world. They exchanged experiences of cohabitation and interfaith harmony in the two countries. Presentations were supplemented by the exchange of opinions and questions. The two delegations agreed to publish conference proceedings in their own languages and to continue the interfaith dialogue between Serbia and Indonesia.

Evening worship service was held at the St Thomas Orthodox Church. The service was attended by Orthodox Indonesians and the representatives of Serbian Diaspora, with protodeacon Radomir Rakic serving with Indonesian priests.

On this occasion, Patriarch Irinej, who attended the service, said he was pleasantly surprised to learn that there was an Orthodox Church in Indonesia, and then to have had the opportunity to visit it. Patriarch Irinej pointed out that he would convey positive impression of the Orthodox Church Community in Indonesia and said it was an occasion to start a dialogue with Moscow Patriarchate and the Ecumenical Patriarchate concerning the development of the Orthodox Church in Indonesia. The patriarch added that the Serbian Orthodox Church would gladly receive Indonesians who wished to study Orthodox theology in Serbia. His Holiness wished Orthodox Church in Indonesia a lot of success in its future development and operations, to “fight for the bright sun” and establish its existence. Patriarch concluded that it was God’s mission.

State religious delegation of the Republic of Serbia continues the working visit to Indonesia tomorrow.