VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin said that implementing religious moderation in Indonesia is being looked at by other countries, especially in the West, because it prioritizes tolerance amid differences in society.

"Now the world is looking at what's going on in Indonesia, even though there are different ethnicities and religions, how come they get along, can be one. Yes, because we use moderate, moderate religious methods,” said Ma'ruf Amin in a video statement received in Jakarta, Monday.

Ma'ruf said that religious tolerance in Indonesia is also supported by the application of tolerant Islam by most of the population.

"Religious moderation in Indonesia is a national asset that can be promoted to other countries, especially Europe and America," he said.

"This is actually a tremendous advantage and is now a model that is being sought after, the world is currently looking for, Europe, America, and the Western world are looking for what kind of harmonious interfaith relations are," he said again.

The current turmoil in European countries, said Ma'ruf, is one of the consequences of unlimited freedom of expression.

“Europe is making a fuss because it has unlimited freedom. We have freedom but there are limits, free expression but there are limits, there are standards, "he also said.

Regarding the recent protests against France, as a result of President Emmanuel Macron's statement regarding Islam, Ma'ruf said the country needed to take an example from Indonesia in implementing tolerance.

"In the West, it was separated, so there was a commotion like what happened in France. Now they are looking for a new formula. I said the formula is in Indonesia,” he said.

Therefore, the Vice President hopes that the practice of moderate, fair, and balanced religious teachings can be maintained amidst the diversity of Indonesian society.

"This is what we must maintain. I am sure that this model, social relations like this will be the model that I now say is being sought in this world," said Vice President Ma'ruf Amin. (antaranews)