Indonesia a Model of Islamic Democracy and Harmony: OIC

Nusa Dua, Bali (Antara) - Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretary General Iyad Ameen Madani lauded Indonesia for being a role model of Islamic democracy and harmony amid the emergence of radicalism in the region. "The OIC secretary general opined that Indonesia can also be a role model for other OIC member states because the country has embraced a modern Islamic lifestyle, which is also part of the solution to the problem," Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa remarked here on Thursday. Madani said Indonesia can also be a model of Islamic harmony, democracy, and modernization for other counties around the world, particularly when sectarianism has become a serious issue in the region with the emergence of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Boko Haram in Nigeria, he noted. Therefore, Marty pointed out that ISIS and Boko Haram did not reflect the real essence of Islam, so the OIC member states should come together and explain the true teachings of Islam to the rest of the world. He stated that during the meeting, President Yudhoyono and Madani discussed issues related to cooperation in education and human rights, and Indonesia's role in Myanmar concerning the Rohingya ethnic group. (*)