Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s religious affairs minister said on Saturday he sees the country becoming a global center of interfaith harmony, arguing that safeguarding unity is a core expression of faith.
“Allow me to say with confidence that Indonesia will become a home for global harmony — a home built not of bricks and cement but of trust, respect and recognition of human dignity as God’s creation,” Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar said.
Speaking at an interfaith dialogue at the ministry’s headquarters in Jakarta, Umar said Indonesia has long drawn admiration not only for its culture and hospitality but also for its ability to align religious values with national cohesion.
He warned that humanity’s future must not be shaped by hostile rivalries, which can fuel destructive conflict, fragmentation and even widespread devastation.
Umar said genuine harmony is needed among diverse communities, both between and within religions, and urged broader government engagement to reinforce a climate of mutual respect.
“We must unite under one noble calling: the brotherhood of humanity,” he said.
During the event, Umar also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on interfaith cooperation between his ministry and the World Muslim League (WML), represented by its secretary-general, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa.
He noted that Al-Issa had recently praised Indonesia as a model for countries seeking to maintain unity and harmony in highly diverse societies.
The WML leader delivered the remarks after meeting President Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (Dec. 4).
“Indonesia is a role model — an excellent and inspiring example for Islamic countries on how to preserve harmony amid extraordinary religious and ethnic diversity,” Al-Issa said in a statement that day.
