ISORA R20 Forum, President: Religion Plays a Role in Creating World Peace

At ISORA, President Jokowi mentioned the importance of world peace and bridging differences. Religion can play a role.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Forum R20 ISORA, Presiden: Agama Berperan Ciptakan Perdamaian Dunia

DOKUMENTASI HUMAS PBNU

President Joko Widodo gave a speech at the inauguration of the R20 International Summit of Religious Authorities (ISORA) in Jakarta on Monday (27/11/2023).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - President Joko Widodo has once again emphasized the importance of strengthening world peace and bridging the existing differences. For this reason, the role of religion and religious figures is crucial.

In the R20 International Summit of Religious Authorities (ISORA) Forum, the President also reiterated that the humanitarian tragedy in Palestine cannot be tolerated in the slightest.

“A ceasefire must be implemented immediately, humanitarian assistance must be accelerated, and peace negotiations must begin immediately. "Indonesia believes that independence is the right of all nations and this is firmly stated in the Indonesian constitution," said President Jokowi when giving a speech at the Inauguration Ceremony for the Opening of the R20 International Summit of Religious Authorities (ISORA) in Jakarta, Monday (27/11/2023).

On that occasion, President Jokowi was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi, Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform Abdullah Azwar Anas, General Chair of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board Yahya Cholil Staquf and the leadership of PBNU. The forum was also attended by more than 30 world religious figures.

DOKUMENTASI HUMAS PBNU

President Joko Widodo symbolically opened the R20 International Summit of Religious Authorities (ISORA) event in Jakarta on Monday (27/11/2023).

The President also expressed his gratitude to guests from friendly countries who have actively worked with Indonesia to strengthen world peace. "Because it truly does not make sense, it truly goes against our conscience, in this supermodern world, wars are still happening. And blatant massacres that take the lives of civilians, women and children," said President Jokowi.

Also read: PBNU: R20 is expected to be able to voice an end to violence in Gaza

According to the President, Indonesia also has a long-standing experience in weaving diversity in bridging differences and uniting diversity. Currently, Indonesia's population is almost reaching 280 million people consisting of 714 ethnic groups, with more than 1,300 local or regional languages. They embrace different religions and live on 17,000 islands in Indonesia.

The President asserts that uniting the people of Indonesia is not an easy task. However, the Indonesian community can erode ethnic, religious, and regional egos so as to achieve the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika slogan. Unity in diversity cannot be achieved unless supported by existing religious teachings.

Indonesian religious leaders teach that love for the homeland is a part of faith, tolerance towards differences is a part of faith, and maintaining unity is also a part of faith. Indonesia believes in the role of religion, religious authorities, and society as a whole in creating peace, harmony, and togetherness.

"Therefore, I highly appreciate and value the holding of this forum. Let us make interfaith and cross-national dialogue a means to bridge differences and put an end to all forms of conflict, so that a peaceful, harmonious, and prosperous world can be achieved together," said the President.

KOMPAS/HIDAYAT SALAM

The Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Central Board, Yahya Cholil Staquf, participated in the R20 International Summit of Religious Authorities (ISORA) in Jakarta on Monday (27/11/2023).

The General Chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama, Yahya Cholil Staquf, stated that NU continues to struggle and strives to present religion as a solution to world problems since R20 was held in Bali in 2022. Communication with world leaders is ongoing. "Especially with conflicts in various regions and the world continuing to increase until now, including those occurring in Palestine and Israel which continue to be of concern to the R20 network," said Yahya.

Also read:Gathering in Bali, Religious Leaders Will Discuss New Models of Interreligious Dialogue

He hopes that the Palestinian and Israeli war that has been going on until now can be resolved through the R20 ISORA forum. The religious leaders who are members of the R20 network agreed to push for a real solution so that the conflict in Gaza, Palestine, can be resolved as soon as possible.

Yahya revealed that the term ISORA in Javanese language means "dare not?" Through ISORA, religious leaders are challenged to work together in finding solutions to global issues that are being faced. "Could world leaders make religion a source of solution for global problems towards world peace," he said.

Yahya hopes that the R20 ISORA Forum can bring religion as a pillar of solving humanitarian problems. The outcome of this meeting is also expected to reach a concrete agreement on joint actions that need to be taken by religious communities worldwide regarding current global issues.

AP PHOTO/HATEM MOUSSA

An Israeli soldier observes Palestinian residents fleeing to the south along Salah al-Din Street in central Gaza Strip on the third day of the temporary ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, Sunday (26/11/2023).

Separately, Chairman of R20 ISORA Ahmad Ginanjar Sya'ban said that around 150 participants from both domestic and international areas attended the forum. Out of total participants, 30 of them are from foreign countries. They represented the Middle East, Europe, America, Asia, and ASEAN. In addition, religious figures in Indonesia, community organization leaders, activists, thinkers, and writers were also present.

"R20 ISORA aims to be a platform that expands the voice of peace and tolerance at an international level, while also providing a space for religious figures, community leaders, and academics to share ideas and experiences in creating a more harmonious world," said Ginanjar.

R20 ISORA is striving to bridge the gap between different religious communities and promote better understanding among them. R20 ISORA is also an effort by PBNU to strengthen the role of religion in promoting global peace.