Jakarta - Religious Affairs Minister M Maftuh Basyuni said Indonesia as the world's largest predominatly Muslim nation  had an immense interest in making Islam known as a religion   bringing "Rahmatan Lil'Alamin" or blessings for the whole world and all mankind.

"Accordingly,  we are obliged to counter the cruel accusation that Islam is a terrorist religion," Minister Basyuni said in Yogyakarta recently.

The minister made the statement in his address at a ceremony marking the presentation of an honorary doctorate to Dr. Ahmad Badruddin Hassoun, the Grand Mufti of Syria, at the Sunan Kalijaga Islamic University in Yogyakarta.

"Islam and most of its followers prefer  peace above violence, contrary  to the media reports that associate Islam with violence," the minister said.

However, he regretted that some Muslims had over-reacted to the accusation so that it could produce an impression the accusation was true.

The minister reminded Muslims that in the Al Qur'an all Muslims are asked to act wisely.

"This kind of Islam is practiced in Indonesia and this is what Grand Mufti Dr. Ahmad Badruddin Hassoun has recommended, namely to prioritize inter-cultural dialogs and avoid conflicts," he said.

The minister said  Dr. Hassoun deserved the honorary doctorate for his knowledge on Islam and his teachings which recommend inter-cultural dialogs.

"We hope the title's presentation will receive Allah's blessing  and strengthen the bilateral relations between Indonesia and Syria," the minister said.

- Source : Antara News Agency, 25 May 2008