REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has hailed the idea floated by Ma'ruf Amin, the advisory board chairman of Indonesia's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), to organize a national dialogue for national reconciliation.

Ma'ruf said he conveyed the idea to the president when he met the head of state in the State Palace on Wednesday (Nov. 30). "The president asked us to further elaborate on the idea of a national dialogue. In the meeting, the president agreed to (hold the dialogue) to inculcate tolerance for all," the NU leader stated in a press release here on Friday.

He noted that the aim to ensure national reconciliation was intended to remove all mutual distrust and ensure harmony among the people, both in the context of social and political life. Mar'ruf pointed out on Tuesday that a national dialogue should be held to promote greater understanding among people of various religions in the country.

Such a dialogue can help prevent suspicions and prejudices that could lead to misunderstanding, according to Ma'ruf Amin, who is also the general chairman of the Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI). "Some presumptions are incorrect. This is not good if left unheeded because it has the potential to disrupt the unity of the nation. We need to ensure communication among all sections of society," he stressed in Jakarta on Tuesday.

He said the national dialogue will likely be organized after the December 2 peaceful joint prayer gathering at the National Monument (Monas) square. There must be a new consensus on defending the unitary state of Indonesia and the nation's 'unity in diversity' slogan, the NU leader and MUI chairman stressed.

No side should see religion in an extreme manner, he remarked. It is important for religious leaders in the country to see objectively the diversity of Indonesia and adopt a moderate stance without, of course, sacrificing the basic principles of their religion.

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