Anti-Islam congress counterproductive to interfaith dialogs

Jakarta, NU Online
Indonesia, the world`s largest Moslem country, considers the pro-Koln group`s plan to hold an anti-Islam congress in Cologne, Germany, on Sept 19-20 to be counterproductive to interfaith dialogs, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

"Any plan to organize an anti-Islam congress would be counter-productive to interfaith dialogs which also involve European nations," Teuku Faizasyah said on Thursday (21/8).<>

The Indonesian government, along with other ASEAN members and other countries through bilateral relations had been active in holding interfaith and cultural dialogs to solve differences and avoid misunderstanding, he said.

"We hope there will be sensitivity (on the part of the congress` organizing committee) because such an event will only worsen misunderstanding," he said.

He said the German government had yet to confirm the group`s plan to hold such a congress.

"So, we have heard the plan only from a news report," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Last week, the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) expressed deep concern about the plan to organize the anti-Islam congress.

In its written statement, the OIC said the aim of the congress is to raise anti-Muslim sentiments in Europe which will eventually threaten peace and harmony among the Europeans.

The OIC also expressed hope that all elements of the community in Germany and the rest of Europe would be strongly opposed to the planned congress and reject hatred and racism. (dar)