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Messages of Peace
International Dialogue on Interfaith Cooperation Yogyakarta 6-7 December 2004
Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of the Republic of Indonesia opened the International Dialogue on Interfaith Cooperation in Yogyakarta on 6 December 2004. In his opening remarks, President Yudhoyono said that when ethnic and religious prejudice was compounded by economic and political rivalry, conflict was inevitable. The solution was not to deny the reality of our differences, but to affirm a deeper, greater and more important reality – our common humanity. The two day Interfaith Dialogue is co-sponsored by the Government of Australia and the Government of Indonesia, and organised jointly with the Muhammadiyah - one of the largest Islamic organisations in Indonesia.
Australia and Indonesia are determined to promote understanding and to foster harmony between faith communities across our region. Today we face many challenges - one of them is how to empower the moderates within our societies and among countries in the region. The overwhelming majority in our societies want peace, harmony and prosperity. There is much potential for all communities in the region to cooperate more closely to further our spiritual, social and economic development goals. Faith and community leaders have an important role to play in denying extremists any religious or moral legitimacy and in building trust between communities.
In what is a clear statement of their shared commitment to building inclusive communities, major faith leaders from the ASEAN countries, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and East Timor have enthusiastically agreed to participate.
Interfaith cooperation is now a necessity - extremism poses a very serious threat to all our societies. All faiths need to resist those attempting to drive a wedge between them. We all need to come together and renounce those who advocate doctrines of intolerance and violence.
This event will help empower the moderates and underpin the key role of faith and community leaders in bridging differences and building harmony in the South East Asia region. The Interfaith Dialogue will provide a platform for them to give important messages to their communities on mutual understanding, tolerance and peaceful co-existence. By promoting understanding and learning from each other’s experiences, this gathering will also foster a common regional resolve to meet challenges such as terrorism and to work together to further social and economic development.
This is the first joint Australia-Indonesian Government organised event of this type and builds on the strong record of cooperation in organising major regional meetings to facilitate cooperation on counter-terrorism and people smuggling. The Dialogue represents a continuity in both countries’ approach to building understanding of the constructive role that faith communities play in the region. In February 2004, Indonesia’s Department of Foreign Affairs organised the International Conference of Islamic Scholars (ICIS), in cooperation with the Nahdlatul Ulama, the largest Islamic organisation in Indonesia. The Australian Government has hosted visits to Australia by Islamic leaders and scholars from the region, and supported a conference on Islamic Perspectives on Governance, State and Society in South-East Asia, held in Canberra in August 2004.
The Australian and Indonesian Governments hope that the Interfaith Dialogue will be the beginning of a process of more direct and frequent communication between regional faith leaders in solving problems and building a more harmonious and peaceful future for the region.
Dear Friends and Members of AIAA,
We recently sent a letter of condolence to the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, regarding the Jakarta bombing tragedy near the Australian Embassy. The following is the text of a letter we have received from Bapak Imron Cotan, Ambassador for Indonesia:
I write on behalf of my government and the people of Indonesia to acknowledge with deep gratitude your heartfelt expressions of sympathy for the victims of the recent terrorist bombing in Jakarta, and for their families and friends.
Terrorism is the common enemy of all peace-loving countries, and Indonesia will accordingly continue to work closely with them in combating terrorism in the region and to uncover and bring the perpetrators of this latest horrific crime against the civilised world to justice.
Such spontaneous outpouring of grief since the bombing from so many Australians is greatly appreciated and can only help to bring our two countries much closer together.
Once again, thank you very much for your thoughtfulness and concern over this tragedy.
Imron Cotan
Ambassador
AMBASSADOR AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY JAKARTA
9 December 2004
Ms Cynthia Webb
Secretary
Australia Indonesia Arts Alliance
PO Box 484
BYRON BAY NSW 2481
Dear Ms Webb,
Thank you for the kind words of sympathy and support in your letter of 25 September. The bombing on 9 September was a truly tragic event. It was very sad, too, that the ones to suffer were innocent passers-by and people doing their job.
I was very interested to learn of the work of your organization, and pay tribute to your efforts to advance the very important relationship between Australia and Indonesia. Recent events can only strengthen efforts to promote cooperation between our two countries.
Administration of the fund to care for the victims and families of the embassy blast is in the hands of the Red Cross. The Red Cross website, www.redcross.org.au, advises how one can donate to the fund. You will be aware that the Australian Government has contributed an initial $1 million.
Thank you for your interest in the fund and the generosity of members of your organisation.
Yours sincerely,
[signed] David Ritchie