Meeting Greek Religious Leaders, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin Invites To End Israel-Palestinian Conflict

Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin after meeting with Archbishop of Athens and all Greece, Ieronymos II in Athens, Greece, Thursday 23 November (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin invited religious leaders in Greece to jointly contribute to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"This conflict is not a religious conflict, but a joint contribution is needed, including from religious leaders for its resolution," Ma'ruf said during a meeting with the Archbishop of Athens and all Greece, Ieronymos II in Athens, Greece, quoted by ANTARA, Friday 24 November.

Ma'ruf said the world needed the contribution of all parties, including from religious leaders, to resolve the Israeli and Palestinian conflicts.

"Violence must be stopped, a ceasefire must continue to be pursued and the distribution of humanitarian aid must be a top priority," said the Vice President.

Indonesia, said Ma'ruf, has firmly condemned Israel's attacks on civilians and public facilities in Gaza, Palestine.

Ma'ruf also mentioned the similarities between Indonesia and Greece in maintaining religious diversity.

The vice president then promoted how Indonesia maintains harmony in diversity, by utilizing government organs and the ensemble of religious assemblies.

"We have the Ministry of Religion in which there are Director General of Islam, there are Director General of Catholics, Protestants, Hindus, Buddhists and also forums of inter-religious communication which are the ensembles of religious assemblies such as from MUI, KWI, PGI, for if there is a conflict, to prevent conflict, or resolve if conflict occurs," he said.

"So I invite that because in Greece the model is also almost the same," continued Ma'ruf.

When delivering a speech to the Greek Archbishop, Ma'ruf hoped that today's meeting would not only strengthen the concept of peace and tolerance in the state and society, but also bring goodness to the two countries.

"I hope this meeting further strengthens our joint commitment to promoting understanding and encouraging mutually beneficial cooperation," said Ma'ruf Amin.