Indonesia Initiates MIKTA Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue

The Government of the Republic of Indonesia held Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue among MIKTA countries (Mexico, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Turkey, and Australia) in Yogyakarta on 18-19 October 2016. Religious leaders, cultural experts, academicians, officials, and civil society representatives from the five countries attended the event that was officially opened by Indonesian Vice Foreign Minister, Dr. A.M. Fachir, with the welcoming remarks by the Governor of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamengkubowono X.

This dialogue was the first for MIKTA and initiated by Indonesia to tackle global security and stability, namely terrorism, radicalism, and extremism. Under the theme ‘Strengthening solidarity, friendship, and cooperation through interfaith and intercultural dialogue’, it aimed to share knowledge and experience in enhancing understanding and promoting tolerance, peace, moderation, and respect among multifaith and multicultural societies. The dialogue focused on three subjects in efforts to strengthen resilience against terrorism, radicalism, and extremism: the role of government, youth and social media, and religious community.

As a city well-known for its tolerance, multiculturalism and historical heritage, Yogyakarta is the right place to conduct interfaith and intercultural dialogue. The participants of the dialogue were intensively engaged in exchanges of views at Ganjuran Catholic Church, Nurul Ummahat Islamic Boarding School, and Kota Gede Mosque. They also visited Borobudur Temple, Yogyakarta Palace, and enjoyed Ramayana ballet near Prambanan Temple.

MIKTA Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue was concluded with the presentation of Host Statement, that contains summary of the dialogue and Yogyakarta Message. The Message supports promotion of solidarity and respect towards diversity, openness and transparency, both at the governmental and non-governmental levels. The Message also encourages youth involvement in promoting solidarity among religions, developing discussion network on tolerance, as well as stepping forward beyond the differences to support sustainable development of social, development, and economic cooperation.

Indonesia also conveyed its commitment to provide Arts and Culture Scholarships to youth of MIKTA countries in 2017.

It is hoped that in the future, MIKTA could continuously act as bridge builder and consensus maker in a range of issues of common concern among the five countries.