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03.02.2023

Open and Truthful in Dialogue

[Translate to Englisch:] Mukti Ali Qusyairi spoke at the JCM Conference in Manado. He is a member of the largest muslim society in Indonesia, Nahdlatul Ulama. Foto by: Ridho Simamora, UEM

This January, 34 members of three different religions met in Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi in Indonesia. Manado is famous for being a “City of Tolerance”. They came together to share insights and perspectives as Jews, Christians and Muslims at the “JCM Conference”. This conference was prepared by UEM and the Jewish congregation of Tondano near Manado.

In Indonesia, for many non-jewish participants this was the first time to encounter Jews and to start an honest and open dialogue with them. But also talks between Christians and Muslims got to a different level at the conference. At the heart of it are the “discussion groups”. Here the conference participants talk about what they always wanted to ask each other, but maybe never dared to. The answers they give to each other are not representative for the whole religion, but they are honest and truthful. Everything that is said in those groups is confidential.

Another important part of the conference are the lectures from each religion’s perspective, this year on the topic: “Have we failed God? Interreligious dialogue as a Response to a Broken World”, sharing insights and opinions. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, participants experience religious services from all three religions, being able to either participate in them or to observe respectfully, as they wish.

A special part of this year’s conference in Manado was the visit to Tondano with its Synagogue and Indonesia’s only Holocaust Museum. Here Tondano Rabbi Yaakov Baruch would lead a commemoration ceremony for the victims of the Holocaust and representatives of the other religions would give speeches, among them UEM General Secretary Volker Martin Dally.

Irma Simanjuntak, UEM Advocacy Consultant for the Asian Region, describes the conference like this: “Many people, as they come together, have negative images about other religions. But as they start asking questions and getting actual answers in an open and calm atmosphere, it feels like those prejudices are melting away. Here we are getting together.”

In February, the conference will be as well in Vallendar (Germany) and in Bukoba (Tanzania), convening a total of about 130 people.

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