During the public lecture, Kalla said Indonesia, with the third-largest Muslim population in the world, is not an Islamic nation but a democratic country that upholds Pancasila as its fundamental ideology.
"The foundation of our country (Indonesia) is Pancasila, which places the One Supreme God as the first principle. Although 88 percent of the country's population is Muslim, Indonesia is not an Islamic nation," he stated while addressing hundreds of participants during the public lecture.
In line with the principle of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, or Unity in Diversity, Indonesia has promoted diversity that upholds tolerance and peace among several groups in the country.
Kalla explained that Islam came to Indonesia with peace and was spread through trade and not through coercion and war.
Hence, Islam in Indonesia has developed peacefully. In the eighth and ninth century, the spread of Islam was integrated with the local culture and wisdom.
"Thus, moderate Islam is practiced in Indonesia," he explained.
The general lecture was attended by Indonesian and foreign students keen on studying Islamic science at the Oxford Center for Islamic Studies.(*)
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