INDONESIAN RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND BELIEFS REALIZE THE ABU DHABI DOCUMENTS PROMOTE PEACEFUL APPROACHES TO RESOLVING HUMANITARIAN PROBLEMS

Jakarta, 25 JANUARY 2023 – Nine Indonesian religious and belief leaders gathered in Jakarta and agreed to actualize for the resolution of humanitarian problems that are occurring in the country by prioritizing a peaceful approach, as was committed in the Abu Dhabi Document for World Peace signed by Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Syaikh Ahmad Al Thayyib in 2019.

The event took place at the Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia campus in Jakarta, Wednesday (25/1) in the form of a national seminar with the theme "Reviving the Abu Dhabi Documents in True Brotherhood for Dialogue for Work and Cooperation in Movements to Overcome Humanitarian Problems."

The event was opened by Mgr. Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo as Chair of the Trustees of the Atma Jaya Foundation, Bishop of the Jakarta Archdiocese, and attended by expert staff of the Minister of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia in the Field of Law and Human Rights (HAM) Prof. Dr. H. Abu Rokhmad, M. Ag.

"The presence of the nine interfaith and belief leaders at Atma Jaya Catholic University today is a concrete manifestation of the Abu Dhabi Document, namely true brotherhood for which we are very grateful," said the Chairperson of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference, Mgr. Antonius Subianto Bunjamin, OSC in his explanation opened the dialogue session.

He also added that people who have a holy heart of God will bring peace because God cannot be compartmentalized by human differences. Representative from the Communion of Churches in Indonesia, Rev. Gomar Gultom, M.Th. said that this Abu Dhabi Document is an invitation to become more of a peacemaker as well as a strong reminder for all of us to carry out religious values in a substantial manner and encourage reconnection for moral movements and social movements for humanity.

Meanwhile, a representative from Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), KH AH Abu Yazid Al-Busthami said, in fact there are so many human tragedies in parts of the world that need all of our help. Considering that Islam itself is actually a religion of love, that is, Allah gives mercy not only to Muslims, but also to all mankind, regardless of religion and nation.

"The basic concept from NU is that differences are not something that should be debated. What is the same should not be distinguished, what is different should not be equated. We have the same goal, namely to maintain world peace, because all human beings come from the same father and mother, so we are brothers in humanity," said KH AH Abu Yazid Al-Busthami.

Representative from Muhammadiyah, Prof. Dr. Hj. Abdul Mu'ti, M.Ed said, this document teaches us a lesson that religion is different in rituals but shares many similarities regarding human issues.

"One thing that important: One Humanity, One Responsibility, for humanity in the context of humans as God's creatures who are very noble and have the right to achieve happiness. Abu Dhabi document, not only ethics but ethics," said Prof. Dr. Hj. Abdul Mu'ti, M.Ed.

The general chairman of the Indonesian Confucian Religious Council (Matakin), Budi Tanuwibowo, said that the true religion is a religion that brings us closer to humanity. "For example, Islam is a blessing for all human beings, then Trikitakarana from Hinduism which is also the same belief that all beings are happy, Catholicism is a religion of love, Confucianism and Buddhism mean that all living things are brothers," explained Budi Tanuwibowo.

In addition, the representative from the Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI) Center, Maj. Gen. (Purn) Wisnu Bawa Tenaya, explained that as a religious community, they must maintain a complete order of peace and harmony which leads to a spirit of mutual cooperation.

"The fighting power of the children of the nation is strong physically, the body must be healthy, spiritually good, the soul must be clean. Let's join hands to contribute, give to each other, don't bring each other down," said Maj. Gen. (Purn) Wisnu Bawa Tenaya while calling out Pancasila and Merdeka greetings.

Representative from the Indonesian Buddhist Association (Permabudhi), Prof. Dr. K. Philip Wijaya, said that in Buddhism, the Abu Dhabi Document has been implemented in terms of education, building educated people, or in terms of relations not only between religions but also within Buddhism itself.

"In terms of concern in the world, namely by understanding the feelings and suffering of other people and the environment, especially also food, one of the movements that has been carried out is cleaning the dishes themselves and not wasting food," explained Prof. Dr. K.Philip Wijaya.

Finally, from the Chairman of Presidium I DMP-Majelis Agung Trust Indonesia (MLKI), Ir. Engkus Ruswana, said that to apply the Abu Dhabi Document by returning to the original character of the Indonesian nation, namely the character of harmony which gives birth to love and positive thoughts.

The Atma Jaya Declaration is the result of the dialogue being held today, in general it contains the following matters; “Noting that Indonesia is a pluralistic nation in terms of religion, race, ethnicity, culture; that relations between the nation's children are often disturbed by political interests and other dishonorable interests; and that the future of religious and national life is determined by efforts to revive true brotherhood between people of different religions and beliefs.

Furthermore, the leaders of interfaith and belief groups as well as the leaders of the Atma Jaya Foundation and the Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia agreed and stated:

1. Support all parties in efforts to uphold humanity and true brotherhood between people of different religions and beliefs.

2. Prioritizing a non-violent peaceful approach in resolving all national conflicts by prioritizing the human rights of every citizen, equality, justice and compassion.

3. Involve young people and students in concrete actions to build interfaith and belief brotherhood relations in order to care for diversity.

4. Developing cooperation between universities, people across religions and beliefs to strengthen national brotherhood.

5. Condemn and strongly reject terrorism and all forms of violence in the name of religion and belief.

By actualizing the Abu Dhabi Document in this work dialogue, it is hoped that it will create a joint movement to address humanitarian issues regardless of differences, especially by the younger generation and other components of society who work together to address real humanitarian issues.