JAKARTA- Prof. Dr. Din Syamsuddin, the General Chairman of Muhammadiyah Central Executive and also the General Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council, was requested by Travik Stig, the Ambassador of Norway to be a moderator in a brief discussion between Erna Sober, the Prime Minister of Norway, and the religious leaders of Indonesia, Wednesday (15/4) at the Plaza Masjid Istiqlal

PrimeMinister Erna was in Jakarta during a two-day state visit. In addition to meeting President Jokowi, Prime Minister Erna also scheduled meeting and discussion with a number of Indonesian religious leaders, among others Din Syamsuddin (Muhammadiyah / Indonesian Ulema Council), Iqbal Sullam (Nahdatul Ulama), Rev. Hanriette Lebang (IndonesianChurchUnity), Father Agus (KWI), and Ali Mustafa Yacub (the Grand Mufti of Istiqlal Mosque). The Vice Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ambassador of Norway also attended the meeting.

Inabout an hour's discussion, the Ambassador of Norway Erna explained the Norway position in the issue of religious freedom. Moreover,she wanted to learn from Indonesia about how to manage diversity and harmony. The religious leaders who attended make a deliberation about Indonesia's diverse experience but relatively safe, and harmonious in developing a culture of peaceful coexistence. They morbidly deny there was tension and conflict. However, only a very small group supported it.

DinSyamsuddin on his record as a moderator said that the high degree of harmony and peace of Indonesia was caused by this pluralistic nation, whichhad a cultural foundation of Pancasila and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity). Moreover, Din said, it was because the majority of Muslims who had high tolerance, so that any conflicts that arouse could be muted at the first opportunity. At the end of the meeting, Prime Minister Erna expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the Indonesian interfaith leaders who loved peace and minded statesmanship. (mst).

Tags: din, norwegia