Reflection of interfaith summit 2012
- 1. Reflection of Interfaith Summit 2012 O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, That you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable among you in the sight of God is that (believer) who has piety and righteousness. (Suraah A-Hujurat: 13) This verse is a reflective for humankind to think about social theory especially in faith and this verse makes me enthusiastic to have mutual understanding of faiths and gain more understanding in it, moreover I believe that if we have faith energy we will be brought to faith athmosphere and for this thank to God I have chosen in this Interfaith summit 2012 as the one of participants from Indonesia. I thank you to the program directory from the bottom of my heart for giving me the opportunity to participate in International conference and the positive program in Bali, Indonesia. this is my second time that I was selected in interfaith program, the first was in Future Fath Leaders Asia Pasific as Ambasador of Indonesia directory Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the latest was in this program - Interfaith Summit 2012- which promotes the awesome vision I thought, the vision is all mankind are One Family under God regardless of race, nationality, religion and culture. Of course in this point that can be gotten is one family under God through building interfaith partnership, vibrant families and a culture of service and peace. In this Interfaith summit 2012, I had and took positive experiences with friends from different backgrounds, different countries, and different faiths particularly from 4 7 of october 2012 in a partnership program; Global Peace Festival Indonesian Foundation and Indonesian Youth Forum. As a Youth of Indonesia, I was eager to participate during the program as I felt that I needed to learn more about the paradigm in interfaith as well as present a true picture of my own faith in a diverse more over in my country self, from the program I have mutual understanding the concept teaching in my faith which said the difference is the grace and Quran 49 Al Hujuraat verse 13 is and the significant thing I can express my habluminallah wahabluminannas wahablumminalam (relationship with God and relationship with humankind and relationship with the world) more direcly, more markedly and more clearly. In the days long program, spending schedule-time together and staying with fellows of different faiths in Wisma Agung and Universitas Hindu Indonesia (UNHI) provided depth, joy and significance to the overall experience through shared insights at individual sites and all along the way.
- 2. The theme of this Interfaith Summit 2012 was New Interfaith Paradigm For The 21st Century and it was launched by Mr. Andi Mallarangeng (Ministry of Youth and Sport of Indonesia) symbolicly. There are many interesting points that I have noticed. I have got learning from the keynotes in the conferences, Mr. Young Jun Kim Mrs. Torril Wanvik, Mrs. Silvie, Mr. James Poon, Mr. Aziz Nurwahyudi, Mr. Dato Azman Amin bin Hassan, Mr. Chandra Setiawan, Mr. M. Rumahurmuzy, Mr. Uli Sarbinie and many other good speakers gave their thoughts about youth identity as the future faith leaders and the significancy of young generation in the issues which urgently should be discussed and gived solutions for humanity. In humanity perspective, culture of volunteerism is the very important issue that should be rised up. Everyhuman has facilitated by God : Heart and Brain. The chalange is how to transform our self to be more successfull and meaningful in our life. If we focus to think analysis, we will promote brain bigger than heart, and ofcourse as the result of life we are just focusing to materialism, what the benefit for me, and the ego plays here, and it is less successful for life as human being, but if we focus to feeling understanding, we will promote heart bigger than brain. And the result of life we learn about understanding, caring, and sharing based on love which everyhuman have got from God, and ofcourse the effect for life is more successful. Overal, it is actually about a choice and human being who do has belief will know what the best for world is. That is why the culture of heart should be more rised up in this every human life aspects moreover in this globalization era, the mission who care about this one is by planting the seed of love and living for other as the value of love. Addition, there are four things which can not be separated one another in our practical life those are God, Me, Us and Others. Change love perspective from individual paradigm be a family paradigm, from family paradigm be a society paradigm, from society paradigm be a nation paradigm, from nation paradigm be the world paradigm, live for others through love, and all are family. One family under one God. This is the significance point in lifes vision even in this 21st century. If everyhuman care about the homework, there is no doubt for existency of peaceful, happiness, and beautiful world. Taking point about Indonesia, in the universal principle as the basis of national cohesion, Indonesia is not an Islamic state, although moslem constitute the majority of the Indonesian and thought now is 21st century we have to remember and dont forget about the universal principle paradigm which leds Indonesia till today. Indonesia is the country which equal partnership and reciprocal between religions and state. There is motto and ideology of
- 3. Indonesia which the very influental for Indonesian, they are Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity) and Pancasila (five principles). Those are as the transform of value of Indonesian in daily life of society. As the youth which we love called as modern youth but we have to understand about the essency concept of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, literally means (although) in pieces, yet one. we are of many kinds, but we are one, Unity in Diversity already been existed since in the eight and ninth centuries. Unity in diversity is a concept of "unity without uniformity and diversity without fragmentation. This motto is a founding principle of the modern Indonesia nation and is the official motto of Indonesia. In Indonesia It is a quotation from an Old Javanese poem Kakawin Sutasoma, written by Mpu Tantular during the reign of the Majapahit empire sometime in the 14th century. Sutasoma book describe harmony in Majapahit kingdom despite the variety of the religion and ethnic among their people. Majapahit appplied Bhinneka Tunggal Ika as a law and their governance system that shown in their code of law. Indonesian Founding Fathers use Majapahit as a role model to overcome the plurality inheritance to be Nationale Staat. That why it has been recorded in Indonesian history that all world religions penetrated peacefully in their first arrival into Indonesia. Tolerance, accept diversity, collaboration and promote harmony are the basis actions for this motto. It is related with Indonesias Ideology as well, that is Pancasila. Soekarno in June 1st, 1945 use Pancasila (Bhinneka Tunggal Ika) to solve the problem what are Indonesia will use Theocracy or Secularism as the national ideological background. It become way of life and the state ideology of Indonesia, national consensus and the common platform for all religious groups to meet and discuss the future of Indonesia, maybe the future of the world. There are five universal values (principles) in Pancasila: belief in One God Almighty, humanitarianism (humanity), national unity, democracy, and social Justice. This principles should be part of our life, moreover we - as the future generation- should aware about it and accept the principles because human being come from the same ancestor, the Only Creator, the Almighty God. As the youth of this universe, we have affirm that the men and women within the four seas are brothers and sisters, so tolerance, mutual respect, accept the differences are the paradigm we have to have in our heart and applied in daily lifes. Supported by the state ideology, constitution, government policy, local wisdom, dialogue, cooperation among the youth, religious and spiritual, and civil society, we build One family under one God together. In Interfaith Summit 2012 we learn also how inter-religious harmony applied in Malaysia and Indonesia experience. facing the issue, Malaysia have JKMPK, Committee for Promoting Inter-Religious Understanding and Harmony Amongst Religious Adherents. Formed by Cabinet of Malaysia on 24 February 2010, the vision are towards a harmonious
- 4. and muhibah Malaysia, and the mission is to be the mechanism for dialogue and mediation in promoting mutual understanding and harmony amongst adherents of various religions for building Malaysia as a nation inspired by the spirit of building Malaysia as a nation inspired by the spirit of muhibah. The committee works as a mechanism to solve the problems or issues through discussion, finding solutions to any incidents of religious friction, and creating a common understanding and having constructive dialogue among the different religious groups in the country. There are many activities and programs of JKMPK, such as leaders involvment, inter-religious cooperation, public-religious bodies partnership and comunity involvment. In the same perspective, Indonesia has Interfaith Dialogue, the Interfaith dialogue has goal, it is as an effort to encourage dialogues among faiths in order to refine the gap of perception through international cooperation within the framework of "capacity building", which pursued by empowering the moderates. This is one of the new breakthrough in the practice of public diplomacy. The Government of Indonesia has initiated various interfaith dialogue among religions and cultures at the level of bilateral, regional, and multilateral. The interfaith dialogue has also created some activities which involving young generation and communities. for bilatral dialogue, Indonesia has 20 partners since 2004, they are US, Canada, Vatican, Italy, Hungary, England, Argentine, Chile, lebanon, Ethiophia, Cario, Austria, Nedherland, Uni Europe, Bulgaria, Spain, Serbia and Russia. For regional Interfaith Dialogue, they are Asia Pacific Interfaith Dialogue has been conducted in Yogyakarta (2004), Cebu, the Philippines (2006), Waitangi, New Zealand (2007), Phonm Penh (2008) Perth, Australia (2009) ; Semarang, Indonesia (2012), Asia Pacific Inter Faith Youth Camp (APIFYC) in Surabaya, Indonesia, Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Interfaith Dialogue Indonesia, Cyprus, China, Netherland, South Korea and the Philippines, Asia Europe Youth Interfaith Dialogue in Bandung in 2008 and APEC Intercultural and Faith Symposium on October 2006 in Yogyakarta. For multilateral Intrfaith dialogue, there are United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and Non-Aligned Movement Interfaith Dialogue. In The 6th Regional Interfaith Dialogue (RID) for strengthening collaborative communities to promote peace and security;Interfaith in Action was held in Semarang, 11-15 Maret 2012 sponsored by Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand. There was 14 Participants, ASEAN, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Timor Leste . The result of the 6th Regional Interfaith Dialogue contains statements to promote interfaith activities among civil society, to form activities that can be undertaken and be implemented by all stakeholders of the participating countries and action-oriented and workable activities as a follow up activities.
- 5. There are 5 Action plan based on the aspect of, they are Communities faith leaders; Religious communities; Youth; Education; and Media / Communication. The Implementation of the Semarang Plan of Action is Future Faith Leaders scholarship established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Indonesia, followed by 15 participants from 11 states, the program was convened in Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Solo and the second is Peace Journalism conducted by the Ministry of Religion. The whole of these actions are for building mutual respect and understanding among religious communities, a lesson in law and state under the challenge of religious diversity, managing cultural and religious diversity, unity in diversity: the power of dialogue for peaceful cohabitation in a pluralistic society, enchancing cooperation through the promotion of respect on religious and cultural diversity, managing tolerance, respect, and understanding in the religious communities and promoting cooperation among people of different faiths. From those actions that had explained from both countries, Malaysia and Indonesia we have high motivation as Interfaith Summit 2012 participants to gain respect of the cultural and religious diversity and have commitment to always build and develop harmony in the midst of differences and interfaith partnership, have vibrant families and a culture of service and ofcourse promote peace among us as participants especially and world generally. Truly, after this Interfaith Summit 2012 program, I have got many positive points and I have more mutual understanding about Hinduism especially, people cultures in Bali, and of course I have links and companions of faiths as well. In Hindust atmosphere, there are many new view of points that I have more understood, such as the philosophy of Hinduism it self which is in the history perspective called Vaisnavaism (the antiquity of Bhakti) or monoteism, the Obedience to God the Almighty. Then in decades shown up the monism philosophy, engraft and precept about atman (individual spirit ) and Brahman (God), then right now we know as Hinduism. In Hinduism there are at least 33 millions of God (Dewa), the demigods (half of God) are the various forms of the supreme Lord. The demigods are such as Siwa/Wishnu /Krishna, Surya, Ganesha and Durga. The supreme Lord is one and the demigods are delegated with powers to manage this material world, the demigods are all living entities with different grades of material power. The demigods has power divine which created by God and sometimes people thought that both (God and demigods) are have equal power, the obedience to Them by Hindust is for getting advantages in spirituality (Bhakti). In Bali Siwaism has been developed till nowadays, even Siwaism is a separate-new sect which only found in Indonesia, or it can be called as Shivaiste sect. In Indonesia there is Parisada Hindu Dharma or Religiousness
- 6. Institute for Hinduism. This ligue has function to solve conflicts if there are two rules are incompatible, contradict, or paradoxically one anothers. This institute is a presbytery in Bali which has branches till subdistricts. This committee formed officialy in February 23 1959 and has many works such as settle, cover, and develop and build life cycle of Hinduism communities in religious sector based on literatures and Holy books of Hinduism. There is a beautiful lesson of precept in Hinduism that i have learn as well, it is Tri Kaya Parisudha, means three things that should be purified; mind, words and deed. Those purification will led human being get peacefulness, happiness and above water and of course these results will appear based on the Lord will, it can be achieved imedeatly at the same time with the deed, it can be achieved in the future life, and or it can be achieved based on the deeds in the past. Then, In the society paradigm in Bali, the people are so pious, it can be seen from almost every houses of citizen having pure or place for praying and doing ritual offerings. Another view that I have learn is about castes, this concept sometimes makes missconception for other beliefs which seems a lil bit discrimination on it, but now I really good knowledge of it and I have known the reality is. There are four castes in the society influenced by Majapahit era, they are Ksatria (King), Brahmana (Priest), Waisya (Adviser) and Sudra (proletar/citizenry), these castes can be identified by names, the names those given by parent to their child is based on the ancestral and can not be completely removed from the lineage and it always be protected so it will not annihilated or be lost because of the times. Based on the names - such as Ide Bagus, Ide Ayu, I Gusti, I Wayan, I Ketut, I gede, I Nyoman, I komang, I Putu - can be known what the caste he or she is. The interesting point here, the castes can not influence the occupations or someones work, the occupations are valued by the skills and ability of someone, so it is not impossible if a sudra caste be a governor or any leaders in Bali. It is the great value in multiculturalism perspective. Another interesting object which culture cover it is the place named Trunyan Village, this ancient village can be found when passing Kintamani or north-east of Denpasar and eastern shore of Lake Batur. The society in Trunyan Village is the original Balinesse with the way of life is in pre-Hindu customs, the culture is so different with local culture in Bali commonly. They live practising a way of life that pre-dates modern civilisation. The ngaben is done with so different ritual, sandalwood ( menyan tree) is burried as the symbol of the person who passed away, the dead body is not burried or even cremated, they just lay the dead bodies out in bamboo cages on the ground covered by clothes in white and menyan tree helps produces fragrant smell and absorb a bad smell. The important thing, the society believe what they have done for the deadbody is as a symbol of laid great store upon
- 7. someone who passed away, even Trunyans women are forbidden to go to the cemetery when a corpse is carried because they believe if women come it will be a disaster. This is an interesting culture philosophy how transform the sign of caring which indicate people in Trunyan regard to their family with high caring. In my perspective, as the faithfull person, someone who has mutual understanding ofcourse knows what is the faith that he/she choose as their path. In my point of view, faith has to do with pactical life, faith guidance every aspect of life, faith betters life. Faiths are the ways to get piety, because of different heads thats why the practice of faith done with diversity acts but still in the way of the obedience and submissive to Lord (The God Almighty, Ar-Rahman, Allah, Yehowah, Sang Hyang Widhi, Brahma or other names to mention the Gods name) who created the universe, created all humankind. This inclusive perspective can be a vihacle and a bridge for mutual understanding among faiths. Etnocentrism, prejudice, stereotype, hostility, intolerance, contravention of human right, discrimination, marginalization, gender biased, corruption, terorism, anarchism and many - destructive actions - others are not the precept of faith or religion. The most honourable among people who have belief in the sight of God is that (believer) who has piety and righteousness. The most important thing for you, your faith and for me, my faith, do as the best as a faithful person for our faith, and we have to underline that Tri Kaya Parisudha, Brahma Vihara teaching (Metta, Karuna, Mudita, Upeka), three works of church (Alliancy, Services and witnesseth), Aqimussalah with tanha annilfahsya iwal munkaar and Fastabiqul khairat (spread love for all walks of life and race in the virtue with the base of love, humanity, tolerance, and peace among creations of the creator, such as doing kindness, helping the poors, charity, take care world (nature, plants and animals) or many other actions in kindliness), are the beautiful ways for all humankind in the plural world - society even in the cultures cover it. The last about Interfaith Summit 2012, I hope this program is not stop in the last day but keep continue to rage up in the peace, harmony and positive interfaith real-actions. I hope I together with my interfaith friends will work together to address common societal problems and current issues in pluralistic of our country especially and the world generally, gain great respect of the cultural and religious diversity and the expectation of most of this is that I had told more glowingly about the days- experience in Bali to the folks and I have used and will use whatever means available to me (in writting, speaking or and deeding) to always promote a better knowledge of the faiths and to foster global culture of peace and service in the name of merciful Lord. I have a firm belief that our companionship and
- 8. collaboration together will continue and give uswah (example) to someone else of what someone of different faiths can do when they are committed to God and follow the teachings of their respective faith authenticated. all sharing time and energy made the tentative schedule in Interfaith Summit 2012 an enlightening and spiritually invigorating experience, and I thought this is a more life-changing experience.Those words above are my reflection of Interfaith Summit 2012. Wassalamualaykum wr. wb, Gbu, Om shanti shanti shanti om! MuQarramah Sulaiman Kurdi A Participant of Interfaith Summit 2012, Bali, Indonesia Ambasador of Indonesia in Future Faith Leaders Asia Pasific A Student of Sunan Kalijaga Islamic State University, Yogyakarta A youth of South Borneo, Indonesia E-mail: karrakurdi@yahoo.co.id/ Fb: Syarrakara@yahoo.co.id/ phone : +62857-257-42-155