Last week a group of 5 Indonesian religious leaders - 3 Muslim and 2 Christian - came to Australia to spread a message of hope.

The leaders included Mr Hasyim Muzadi, General Chairman of Nahlatul Ulama, the largest Islamic organisation in Indonesia, with 60 million members, and Cardinal Julius Darmaatmadja, President of the Catholic Bishop's Conference of Indonesia. The Cardinal said that when his friend, Mr Muzadi, was invited to come to Australia, he replied he would not come without his Christian friend, the Cardinal. So they both came!

The key message of the visit was one of friendship and solidarity between Muslims and Christians in Indonesia. It was jointly sponsored by the Australia Indonesia Institute, part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Indonesian government.

The delegation of religious leaders met key figures in government, as well as their religious Australian counterparts in Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne. At each meeting they reinforced the message of friendship, peace and hope.

They told about many bombings in Indonesia which attempted to make it look like one religion had attacked another. This interpretation would suit some interests, but faithful Muslims and Christians know otherwise. They will not be panicked into fear and reprisal. The bombings, said the Cardinal, are the work of "unseen forces" who want to use religion as a pretext for their own ends.

Despite the inter-governmental sponsorship of the visit, the delegation stressed the need for relational, non-institutional links between religions. An outcome of the Soeharto years was the institutionalisation of religious affairs by the government. They do not believe that governments should control the religious agenda. They want to show the world that the different religions of Indonesia know how to build harmony and understanding for a stronger, better and more united nation.
During their visit, the delegation formed new links and friendships that will strengthen relationships between Australia and Indonesia, particularly in religious matters.

Members of the Indonesian delegation were:
Mr KH Hasyim Muzadi, General Chairman of Nhadlatul Ulama
Cardinal Julius Rijadi Darmaatmadja, SJ, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Indonesia
The Revd Professor Andreas Anangguru Yewangoe, Executive member, Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI)
Mr H M Rozy Munir, Chairman of Nhadlatul Ulama
Mr Abdul Wahid Maktub, Special Assistant to the General Chairman

For further information:
Contact the Revd John Henderson