Jakarta - A number of  interfaith figures here Thursday declared the formation of  an Inter-Religious Council (IRC) in Indonesia to  optimize the role of religious communities. 

    The initiators of the IRC's establishment were representatives of all the religions existing in Indonesia, namely  Islam, Catholicism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, as well  as the country's two largest Muslim Organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama" (NU) and Muhammadiyah.

    Muhammadiyah leader Din syamsudin,  who was the first proponent of the Indonesia Inter-Religious Council, was named chairman of the council's presidium.

    He said on the occasion  the council's formation was motivated by the need for a body that could solve problems that sometimes occur between different religious communities.

    So far, he said,  religion at times  was the 'source' of problems while actually it should be the answer to all problems.

    "That's why,  we initiated the establishment of this council. Although inter-faith  dialogues and cooperation are already happening, it is better to come together in a medium," he said after the declaration of the  IRC's formation.  

     The IRC would facilitate communications between leaders of different faiths when an inter- or intra-religious problem needed to be solved, he said.

    "There are still some problems s that must be resolved among adherents of different faiths. Thank God,  major conflicts no longer happen but inter- and intra-religious frictions or disputes still arise from time to time," Din said.

    Din said  communications between leaders of different  religions would not only happen at high level but also at grass-root level.

    "If there is a problem, we must sit together and solve it for the sake of Indonesia's  progress, the creation of a just,  prosperous, and dignified society," he said.

    The function to declare the IRC  was attended by a number of religious leaders such as Andreas Yewangoe, Hasyim Muzadi, Slamet E. Jusuf , SAE Nababan, and S.Udayana.

    On the occasion, Hasyim Muzadi, who was named as adviser to the IRC presidium, said o respecting religious differences was essential for the creation of  harmonious inter-religious relations.

    "Let us keep that part which can be shared and which should not be intervened. The same basic rules do not distinguish differences but were forced to do the same," said Hasyim.

    The IRC's formation was also  appreciated by the secretary general of the World Conference for Religions and Peace  William Vendley.

    Vendley said IRC's formation was a good step to build cooperation among religious believers, respect for differences, and the ability to  face problems in Indonesia together.

-Antara, 29 January 2010-