Deputy Minister of Religion and Imam of Australia Shares Good Practices to Build Harmony

Deputy Minister of Religion, Romo Muhammad Syafii, and his staff pose for a photo with the President of the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), Sheikh Shady Al Suleiman. (Ministry of Religion)

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Religion (Wamenag), Romo Muhammad Syafii received a visit from the President of the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), Sheikh Shady Al Suleiman in Jakarta and shared good practices in building a life of religious people who are harmonious and harmonious.

Sheikh Shady Al Suleiman appreciates the harmony and peace of religious people in Indonesia. Sheikh Shady calls Indonesia the best example of living together in harmony.

"We also believe that everyone should be able to live side by side in harmony, mutual respect, and peace. Indonesia is a very good example in this regard," said Sheikh Shady in his statement in Jakarta, Friday.

Sheikh Shady said dialogue was the best way to eliminate hatred against any religion or group. He explained the various efforts made by Australia in supporting the lives of Muslims.

According to him, the Australian government provides support for various programs to strengthen religious life, including the establishment of an institution to combat Islamophobia, assistance for mosques, and the construction of an Islamic university to prepare imams, preachers, and preachers who understand the context of the Australian community.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Religion, Romo Syafii, emphasized that dialogue was the most appropriate approach in building relations between religious people. He invited all parties to prioritize communication and mutual understanding in responding to differences.

"I reject the term how we fight Islamophobia. The important thing is that each of us can practice his religion to the point where he can build harmony in the midst of differences," he said.

Romo Syafii said the Ministry of Religion welcomed the strengthening of collaboration between the two countries.

According to him, Indonesia and Australia can share experiences in building a peaceful and harmonious religious life.

"We hope that after we have this kind of meeting, we will be able to strengthen our collaboration, strengthen this inter-state relationship and also provide input to the lives of Muslims, especially those in Australia," said the Minister of Religion.

As Indonesia's contribution to the cooperation, the Minister of Religion introduced the International Islamic University of Indonesia (UIII) in Depok which is a place for students from around 70 countries to study.

According to him, many international students admit to feeling a harmonious religious life in Indonesia even though the majority of the population is Muslim.

"Therefore, we invite Australian students to be able to study at UIII so that together with students from various countries can feel how harmonious the life of different religions in Indonesia," he said.