THE THIRD INTERFAITH DIALOGUE BETWEEN SERBIA AND INDONESIA SUCCESSFULLY HELD IN BELGRADE
The third bilateral interfaith dialogue between the representatives of state bodies, traditional churches and religious communities of Serbia and Indonesia was held in Belgrade from November 8th to 13th continuing successful state-religious cooperation between Serbia and Indonesia.
The theme of the third bilateral interfaith dialogue between the two countries was “Youth in Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue: Prospects, Opportunities and Challenges”. The ceremony was opened on Monday, November 9 by the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Serbia Nikola Selaković, who hosted the event.
The delegation of Indonesia, consisting of 30 members – representatives of religious communities, was headed by Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdurrahman M. Fachir.
The members of the Indonesian state-religious delegation discussed the religious education and religious tolerance among the youth with Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dačić and Chief of Directorate for Cooperation with Churches and Religious Communities Dr Mileta Radojević.
The guests were received and welcomed by Patriarch Irinej, Archbishop Stanislav Hočevar, reis-ul-ulema Adem Zilkić, Rabbi Isak Asiel, Bishop of Bačka and Srem, Dr. Irinej Bulović and Vasilije Vadić as well as Serbian mufti Muhamed Jusufspahić.
The members of Indonesian delegation visited the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, where they were received by Maja Gojkovic, President of the National Assembly, and then the Presidency, where they were hosted by the President of the Republic of Serbia, Tomislav Nikolić. The guests visited the Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Belgrade, the Archives of Yugoslavia, where the exhibition “Belgrade – Jakarta: from the establishment of diplomatic relations until today,” was opened especially for the occasion of the third bilateral interfaith dialogue between Serbia and Indonesia. The delegation also visited the Seminary in Karlovci and the Monastery of Kovilj.
On Tuesday November 10th the Vice-Minister Fachir held a lecture on “Foreign Policy of Indonesia and the Indonesian-Serbian bilateral relations” at the Faculty of Political Sciences in Belgrade.
The guests from Indonesia, including the representatives and officials of the Ministry of Religion, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, several universities, churches and religious communities, at the end of the dialogue thanked the hosts and all the representatives of churches and religious communities congratulating and expressing great satisfaction at successfully organized the third bilateral interfaith dialogue between Serbia and Indonesia. Together with the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, Hari Kańduła, they conveyed the satisfaction of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and said that the government proposed the holding of the fourth bilateral interfaith dialogue between Serbia and Indonesia in Jakarta in 2017. This proposal met the approval of all present representatives of state-religious delegations of Serbia and Indonesia pointing out that Serbia would continue to foster friendly relations, good cooperation and interfaith dialogue with Indonesia.
On behalf of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the delegation of Indonesia expressed its gratitude to the organizers of the third bilateral interfaith dialogue: Dr Mileta Radojević and Jovana Stojinović, and on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Dr Aleksandar Raković, the Chairman of the Association of Serbian-Indonesian Friendship “Nusantara”.
YourExcellencies,
Distinguished friends of Serbia and Indonesia,
I take this opportunity to greet you on behalf of the Serbian-Indonesian Friendship “Nusantara” and wish you a success in developing inter-religious dialogue between the two countries.
This is an opportunity to remind you that the Association of Serbian-Indonesian Friendship “Nusantara” was established 12 years ago, as an expression of the firm belief that the friendship founded by our two Presidents Tito and Sukarno, in the middle of the last century, we continue to improve in all directions.
Nusantara Association is an organization of citizens, which has the objectives to:
– Contribute to the maintenance, preservation and enrichment of the traditional friendship between Serbia and Indonesia;
– To assist in establishing cooperation in the fields of social issues, the arts, education, culture and other areas, contributing to the strengthening and development of political and economic relations and cooperation between the two friendly countries, as well as
– To organize activities in the arts, culture, education, to encourage and spread mutual contacts, which will be a bridge, which will contribute to the development of general bilateral relations between the two countries.
Since the Government of Serbia and Indonesia has decided to develop interfaith dialogue as a model of introduction, understanding and fosteringof our religious, cultural and other differences, “Nusantara” Association also sought to provide a significant contribution towards that goal. In addition thatthe president of the Association “Nusantara”, Dr. AleksandarRakovic was the coordinator of the first and second interfaith dialogue between Serbia and Indonesia in 2011 and 2013, our Association strived to promote interfaith dialogue and multiculturalism in the spirit of the national motto of the Republic of Indonesia “BhinekaTunngalIka” (Unity in diversity).
Bearing in mind that among the members of “Nusantara” there is a significant number of young members, we tried to inform them in the past four yearsabout the value and importance of interfaith dialogue. In this sense, “Nusantara” organized several panel discussions and lectures in which they could hear impressions about the life of a rich multicultural environment, from our intellectuals who have stayed in Indonesia. Also, “Nusantara” has enabled tour to the important cultural and historical monuments of all nations in the region, as well as monasteries and churches. We especially emphasize that, on these trips, among young people, there were students from Indonesia, scholars of the Republic of Serbia, withinthe “World in Serbia” program. Finally, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia hosted many activities where young people of the two countries had the opportunity to meet, exchange experiences, and gain new friendships.
I can assure you that”Nusantara” Association is seeking to promote and improve the traditional friendshipin future activities, especially through interfaith dialogue between our two countries.
The richness of our religious, cultural and other differences, must be the mission of our understanding, friendship and cooperation. I believe we will have a great successin this mission!
General Secretary of the Association,
Marko Jelic
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