Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals Hold Intl Conferance om Religion

Jakarta, (Antara) - Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals Association (ICMI) has organized an international conference on religion and culture that aims to strengthen inter-faith tolerance in Jakarta, Bogor (West Java) and Yogyakarta, which began on Friday (October 14).

"Although we frequently organize such conferences, inter-faith dialogue should be continuously carried out involving every side," ICMI General Chairman Jimly Asshidiqie said here on the opening of the conference, organized in collaboration with Al Azhar University Indonesia (UAI).

People should listen to each other, especially when it is related to universal humanitarian values, Jimly said.

"The understanding on universal humanitarian values will advance our civilization," he added.

The conference presents academicians from Hartford Seminary, USA who have a background on various religions and faiths, according to Jimly.

"We would like to have a dialogue as friends and learn how Indonesia, with its diversity in cultures, is able to build understanding to create peace," Hartford Seminary President Heidi Hadsell said.

Inter-faith peace can be realized through open and fair dialogue, Organizer Chairman Yasril Ananta Baharuddin believed.

The conference will conclude on October 22, 2016.(*)