PETALING JAYA, Suggestions have been put forward for Indonesian and Malaysian clerics to have regular discussion sessions to exchange ideas and explore opportunities for cooperation to tackle the region’s current challenges.
The former General Head of Nahdlatul Ulama Indonesia, Professor Dr Kiai Said Aqil Siraj, said such sessions are important because Islam is not only about faith and worship but it also includes togetherness and fostering cooperation in carrying out religious orders.
“There should be regular discussions between the clerics in Indonesia and Malaysia so that both parties can visit each other to exchange ideas and cooperate in thoughts, perceptions and ways of understanding.
“The challenges facing the clerics in Indonesia and Malaysia are the same, namely radicalism and terrorism,” he told Bernama when met at the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies here today.
Said had previously delivered a public lecture entitled ‘The role of scholars in strengthening Malaysia-Indonesia r
elations through the understanding of moderation in Islam’.
Commenting on the relationship between the clerics in Indonesia and Malaysia, he said it has been good from the start and the situation is expected to continue.
Indonesian and Malaysian clerics share the same background and principle, which is Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah, and they are fighting for the progress of Islam in the archipelago in a peaceful manner, he said.
Said said clerics play a big role in the development of a country, which is to bring peace and anti-violence and anti-extremism.
Earlier in his general lecture, he said one of the challenges facing clerics today is dealing with the liberal thinking among the young people who consider religious beliefs to be boring and an ancient way of life.
Said also thinks clerics need to be able to form pious societies instead of involving themselves in politics.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency