Minister Of Religion Yaqut: Islamophobia And Fear Of Religion Must Be Fighted

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas supported the United Nations' move to designate March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia and stated that the wave of fear of religion must be fought.

"The Ministry of Religion welcomes and supports the UN decision, which marks March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. All forms of Islamophobia must be fought," said Minister of Religion Yaqut in a written statement received in Jakarta, Friday.

The Minister of Religion said the term Islamophobia is often understood as a wave of prejudice, discrimination, fear and hatred against Islam and Muslims.

According to him, all forms of prejudice and fear that are addressed to religion must be fought because these conditions are one of the factors that threaten harmony and harmony among religious believers.

"All forms of fear of religion must be fought," he said.

The Minister of Religion hopes that this UN decision can be a momentum for Muslims to be at the forefront in overcoming various world problems. Muslims must be able to demonstrate behavior in accordance with the principles of Islam that love peace.

Likewise, people of other religions, he said, should show an attitude according to the teachings of their respective religions that also prioritize brotherhood and peace.

"It is important for people of all religions to ensure that harmony, peace and harmony are universal teachings of religion. All should move together in creating human brotherhood, not division and hostility," he said.

Efforts to achieve world peace must continue to be pursued. The Ministry of Religion continues to seek to establish communication with two world religious leaders, Grand Sheikh Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb and Vatican Church Leader Pope Francis, to spread the seeds of world peace.

The Minister of Religion appreciated the two initiatives in promoting the values of coexistence, tolerance, and peace as detailed in the Human Brotherhood Document. This document was co-signed by Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb and Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi in February 2019.

"We are still trying to get the two world religious leaders to be present in Indonesia to see the harmony, harmony and brotherhood of the very diverse Indonesian nation," he said.