REPUBLICA.CO.ID, Athena--The Government of Indonesia expresses its high hopes to all parties globally to realize peace in this part of the world. The active role of leaders and figures of all religions in the world is also considered important in efforts to achieve peace, especially in mitigating the various escalations of conflicts that are still taking place.

This message of peace was also conveyed by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin when he met Greek Archbishop Ieronymos II and all of Greece at the Holy Archdiocese of Athens on Thursday (23/11/2023).

Kiai Ma'ruf has repeatedly stressed the need for the active role of these religious leaders to push for a settlement amid the warming global situation due to wars raging in several countries.

“I want to push for the role of religious leaders to be strengthened even more in helping to build peace in the various regions that are still in conflict. If the world is not all right, then religious figures should take on more of a role,” said Ma'ruf.

In particular, during the meeting, Kiai Ma'ruf alluded to the continuing volatile Israeli-Palestinian conflict and adding to the suffering of the people in Gaza. According to him, resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict requires global contributions among them from religious leaders.

The Chairman of the Consideration Board of the Indonesian Clerical Assembly (MUI) called on the leaders of the Orthodox Church in Greece to push for a permanent Israeli-Palestinian settlement. Earlier, during a meeting with the Greek Parliament, Kiai Ma'ruf also sounded a similar message regarding efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian war.

“This conflict is not a religious conflict, but it requires a joint contribution, including from religious leaders, to resolve it,” Ma'ruf said in a statement before the Greek archbishop.

According to him, Bishop Ieronymos II had a different church group than the Vatican. Therefore, he expects the group to play an active role in building tolerance and peace around the world.

“We want to have common ground in order to build tolerance and peace, we want those religious teachings to be a humanitarian solution especially in times of conflict,” he said.

To the Bishop, Kiai Ma'ruf also reiterated Indonesia's position firmly condemning Israel's attacks on civil society and public facilities in Gaza. According to him, if the violence in Gaza continues to persist, Indonesia fears that this will lead to regional and even global instability.

“To that end, the violence must stop, a ceasefire must continue to be pursued and the distribution of humanitarian aid must be a top priority,” he said.

At the same time, Bishop Ieronymos II also responded to the expectations of the Indonesian Government to support the resolution of various conflicts in the world. Bishop Ieronymos II agreed the message of the meeting was to oppose any war.

“Particularly the war must be stopped and discussions, negotiations must begin immediately for a settlement of the conflict. Secondly, we condemn the hostage-taking, kidnapping and violence committed against innocent civilians and especially children,” Bishop Ieronymos II said.

Bishop Ieronymos II also pushed for access to be opened and humanitarian aid to be immediately channelled. Likewise negotiations and deliberations must begin immediately for a more permanent settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian issue.

He also agreed on the role of religious leaders to encourage all sides to realize peaceful solutions to various conflicts in the world.

“There must be a continual effort on the part of us, the religious adherents and the political leaders to facilitate a peaceful solution to problems like this,” he said.

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