REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – When freedom of expression is only based on logical freedom, it brings consequence that lead to interfaith conflict the Chairman of Center for Dialogue and Cooperation among Civilizations (CDCC), Din Syamsuddin, said.
The effective way to facilitate the communication of inter-group and inter-religion was to intensify dialogue, he added. "Dialogue creates understanding. We must be delighted that today interfaith dialogue and freedom of religion are intensified in national, regional, and global," Din said on his speech in Interfaith Dialogue and Freedom of Religion on Wednesday.
Freedom of religion, he said, must be linked with responsibility. Freedom of religion must be referred to human rights and the valid legal consensus. "Too liberal approach could lead to catastrophe, such as phobia or anarchic action towards a certain religion," he explained.
Islamophobia in Western countries, he said, was one of the examples when interfaith dialogue and freedom of religion plunged into a low point. "Fortunately, it reemerged then," he said.
Without regulation on freedom of religion, defamation over a religion can take place. "Thus, we must support President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono proposal on anti-denigration protocol in UN General Assembly as preventive act towards anarchy," he said.
Another interfaith leader from Norway, Bishop Gunnar Stalsett, said building relationship and respecting minorities were important. He cited an example when he built good relationship with immigrant Muslim from Pakistan in Norway.
Stalsett who often involved in interfaith dialogues, said that interfaith dialogue must bring a good impact for every party involved. "The dialogue must bring the values of each religion to improve quality of life," he said.
Interfaith cooperation, he said, could cover every part in life, such as environment, health, poverty, and woman and children empowerment.
Meanwhile, Professor of Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah, Ahmad Sukardja, said the theology and science must be integrated. Once they are integrated, then hopefully phobia towards a certain belief of religion could be anticipated.
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