KEDUTAAN BESAR REPUBLIK INDONESIA EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA 8 Darwin Avenue, Yarralumla, Canberra, A.C.T. 2600 AUSTRALIA
PRESS RELEASE
JAKARTA DECLARATION UPHOLDING ISLAM AS RAHMATAN LIL ALAMIN
We, the Islamic Scholars, participating in the International Conference of Islamic Scholars in Jakarta, Indonesia, between 23rd-25th February, 2004 (3-5 Muharram 1425 H), are determined to further promote Islam as Rahmatan Lil Alamin (blessings for the universe).
We, the Islamic Scholars:
1	.	Believe that the Islamic norms and teachings oblige all the Ummah to deem peace (salâm), justice (ŕdâlah), freedom (hurriyyah), moderation (tawassuth), tolerance (tasâmuh), balance (tawâzun), consultation (shűrâ) and equity (musâwah) as fundamental to our way of life;
2	.	Are proud of the rich and long-standing heritage of Islam and look to the future with full confidence;
3	.	Acknowledge that diversity amongst individuals, cultures and civilizations are truly blessings bestowed upon us by God, Allah the Almighty;
4	.	Reaffirm that the teachings of Islam uphold the values of human dignity and recognize the equal opportunity of human beings in inter-personal relationships, in maintaining harmonious interfaith relations and in the entire process of international decision making;
5	.	Fully support the efforts to enhance the constructive and interactive dialogue to increase mutual understanding and respect among the followers of all religions and nations;
6	.	While respecting the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence as stipulated in the UN Charter, strongly condemn acts of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reject the identification of terrorism with any religion, in particular Islam and race;
7	.	Agree that the campaign against terrorism can only be won through comprehensive and balanced measures, in particular by squarely addressing the root causes of terrorism, including poverty, intolerance, injustice, and foreign occupation;
8	.	Strongly support the heroic struggle of the Palestinians to regain its full independence;
9	.	Affirm the fundamental rights of the Iraqi people to freely determine their own political future and respect their national sovereignty;
10	.	While recalling the valuable scientific discoveries and innovations and social advancement contributed by the Islamic scholars to civilization in the past, are duty bound to reinvigorate our vibrant role to restore the status, well-being and dignity of the Ummah in the present world;
11	.	Recognize the obligation to uphold Islamic civilization, and to transmit Islamic values and teachings to future generations by fully observing the Islamic teachings in daily life;
12	.	Support efforts being made by various segments of the international community, with the aim of promoting just peace, security and prosperity, while fostering principles of mutual respect, tolerance and global peaceful coexistence;
13	.	Support all undertakings to enhance the capacity and the role of women in the Muslim community in accordance with Islamic values of equality and justice for the betterment of human kind;
14	.	Believe that Islam values highly the need for the Ummah to work hard and the pursuit of prosperity and astuteness, including the obligation to eradicate poverty;
15	.	Are fully committed to the empowerment of educational institutions and the establishment of research and training centers for the Ummah in the various fields of science and technology;
16	.	Are also committed to further strengthen cooperation amongst the Ummah from all over the world particularly in developing the capacity of the Ummah in the fields of education, economy, and the media at all levels;
17	.	Underline the need to embrace a common framework in full conformity with the Islamic values and teachings towards the betterment of the Ummah’s position through the attainment of the objectives of sustainable development;
18	.	Are resolved to empower the Ummah through, among others, the promotion of Islamic economic practices and international cooperation so that they can actively participate and effectively compete in the current and future global economy;
19	.	Are determined to strengthen the roles of the Islamic media, make effective use of both international and national media, and promote greater understanding towards Islam on the part of the international media in the enhancement of dialogue amongst civilizations;
20	.	Are also determined to embark on the ”renaissance” of Islam as Rahmatan lil Alamin through observation of ”iqra” in its true and comprehensive meaning, for the benefit of all;
21	.	Highly appreciate with gratitude the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama and the Government of Indonesia for making the success of this conference possible.
The Conference agreed:
a	.	that the outcomes of the Conference be disseminated to, and acknowledged and implemented by, related institutions, including regional and international organizations such as the Organization of Islamic Conference and the United Nations, in due course;
b	.	to establish and develop a mechanism to evaluate the implementation of the Plan of Action and exchange views on possible strategies on a biennial basis;
c	.	to establish a secretariat to support the work of such mechanism. In this connection, we welcome the offer by Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama to serve as the secretariat, and appoint the General Chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama as its First Secretary-General;
d	.	to invite public and private institutions at the national and international levels, including the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and the United Nations Development Program and donor countries to build a stronger partnership in mobilizing resources for the implementation of the outcomes of this Conference and its related activities.