PRESIDENT CALLS FOR DIALOGUE TO END RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE  

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono issued an appeal for more dialogue to tackle religious violence on Tuesday (24/6) at the start of an international inter-faith peace conference in Jakarta. Opening the conference attended by religious and community leaders from 37 countries, President Yudhoyono said religion was too frequently used as a rallying point by belligerents in conflicts. "The fact is that none of the world's great religions teach violence," Yudhoyono said.  

Economic or political complaints usually lay at the root of conflict but "these grievances become so much more powerful when mixed with religious fervor," Yudhoyono said.  The leader of the world's most populous Muslim nation praised the muted response of Muslims to the release earlier this year of the anti-Islam film "Fitna" by Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders, but said restraint was not enough to achieve lasting peace.  

"We need to foster a culture that gives a premium to moderation and tolerance," he said, adding that dialogue also required respect for other religions' sacred traditions.  

Foreign leaders who sent addresses to the conference organized by local Muslim mass organization Muhammadiyah, backed Yudhoyono's call for deeper understanding (Trade & Investment News, 30/6/08)