ID :
14646
Sat, 08/02/2008 - 09:45
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/14646
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TIMOR LESTE MUSLIMS GRATEFUL FOR 1999 REFERENDUM
Jakarta, Aug 2 (ANTARA) - A representative of the Muslim community in Timor Leste expressed gratitude for the UN-supervised referendum that was held in their country in 1999 enabling Timor Leste to gain independence.
"On behalf of the Timor Leste people in general, and the Muslims of Timor Leste in particular, I would like to express gratitude for the referendum that enabled us to gain national independence," Arief Sagran, a Timor Leste delegate to the Third International Conference of Muslim Scholars (ICIS III), said here Friday.
Speaking at the conference's closing session, Sagran who is president of the Center of Timor Leste's Islamic Community said Indonesian Muslims had made a significant contribution to global peace, especially for Timor Leste.
"It was through the referendum that the Timor Leste people could gain independence, and be themselves," Sagran said.
He further said the Muslim community in Timor Leste live in peace although more than 90 percent of the people in the country are Catholics.
"It was history that created the difference in our society," he added.
Sagran said peace, harmony, tolerance, unity, equity, sympathy, and sense of brotherhood would enable Timor Leste to achieve lasting stability in their economic, political, social and religious life.
On the occasion, Sagran also congratulated NU (Nahdlatul Ulama)of Indonesia for successfully organizing the conference.
The 3rd ICIS was held in Jakarta from July 29 to August 1, 2008, themed "Upholding Islam as Rahmatan Lil `Alamin (Blessing for the World): Peace Building and Conflict Prevention in the Muslim World."At the end of the conference an action plan called "Jakarta Message" outlining the gist of its results was issued to serve as reference for future actions. The message consists of 13 points.
The three-day conference also decided to establish ICIS representative offices for each region in East Asia and the Pasific, South and Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas and Europe as a way to restructure the work and management of ICIS.
NU Chairman Hasyim Muzadi and Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda also made remarks to close the conference.
ICIS is a world ulemas and Muslim intellectuals' forum which was formed by NU--the biggest Islamic organization in Indonesia--and has has been member of the UN since September 21, 2006.
"On behalf of the Timor Leste people in general, and the Muslims of Timor Leste in particular, I would like to express gratitude for the referendum that enabled us to gain national independence," Arief Sagran, a Timor Leste delegate to the Third International Conference of Muslim Scholars (ICIS III), said here Friday.
Speaking at the conference's closing session, Sagran who is president of the Center of Timor Leste's Islamic Community said Indonesian Muslims had made a significant contribution to global peace, especially for Timor Leste.
"It was through the referendum that the Timor Leste people could gain independence, and be themselves," Sagran said.
He further said the Muslim community in Timor Leste live in peace although more than 90 percent of the people in the country are Catholics.
"It was history that created the difference in our society," he added.
Sagran said peace, harmony, tolerance, unity, equity, sympathy, and sense of brotherhood would enable Timor Leste to achieve lasting stability in their economic, political, social and religious life.
On the occasion, Sagran also congratulated NU (Nahdlatul Ulama)of Indonesia for successfully organizing the conference.
The 3rd ICIS was held in Jakarta from July 29 to August 1, 2008, themed "Upholding Islam as Rahmatan Lil `Alamin (Blessing for the World): Peace Building and Conflict Prevention in the Muslim World."At the end of the conference an action plan called "Jakarta Message" outlining the gist of its results was issued to serve as reference for future actions. The message consists of 13 points.
The three-day conference also decided to establish ICIS representative offices for each region in East Asia and the Pasific, South and Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas and Europe as a way to restructure the work and management of ICIS.
NU Chairman Hasyim Muzadi and Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda also made remarks to close the conference.
ICIS is a world ulemas and Muslim intellectuals' forum which was formed by NU--the biggest Islamic organization in Indonesia--and has has been member of the UN since September 21, 2006.
