JAKARTA (Agencies): The Indonesian government is planning to host an Asia Pacific inter-faith dialogue in October that is expected to discuss terrorism and its roots, an influential Muslim leader said Wednesday.
Syafi'i Ma'arif, who chairs the country's second largest Islamic movement, the Muhammadiyah, said the forum would be jointly funded by Indonesia and Australia, with his organisation playing a key role in arranging the dialogue.
Ma'arif was quoted by the state Antara news agency as saying the dialogue was aimed at scotching the notion that Islam is synonymous with terrorism. He said the forum would also focus on how to empower moderate Muslim elements and analyse terrorism from a Muslim standpoint.
The meeting, expected to draw representatives from 15 countries, including Australia, China, Japan and South Korea, will also try to explore the causes of terrorism, with emphasis on conflict in the Middle East.
The United States will be invited, but only as observers, he said.
Ma'arif said organisers would also invite radical and hardline Muslim groups to take part in the dialogue, but gave no name or details. (*)
(Source: The Jakarta Post)
