This is what the Indonesian Minister for Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said, speaking at a recent seminar organized by the Commission for interreligious dialogue within the Episcopal Conference of Indonesia.

At the conference held in Bali in recent days, attended by representatives of the nation’s 37 Catholic dioceses, Minister Qoumas reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthen “religious moderation”, social harmony and peaceful coexistence among citizens of different religious affiliations in society.

“Thanks to an approach based on respect, moderation and tolerance, tensions between the followers of different religions are reduced. Through acts of religious moderation we can meet and promote mutual cooperation”, said Minister Qoumas.

Minister Qoumas expressed his personal desire to invite both Pope Francis and the Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Ahmed Al-Tayeb, to come together on a pilgrimage to Indonesia, to promote brotherhood between Christians and Muslims.

“They will be able to see that in Indonesia there is friendship, collaboration and dialogue in the ordinary and daily life of Christian and Muslim believers”, he pointed out, recalling that Indonesia is a pluralist nation, with different languages, ethnic groups, cultures, religions.

Source: Fides.org