Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Nusa Dua Bali
Friday in Nusa Dua saw a group of religious leaders organized by the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) forum, to sign a Bali Declaration, which is in aid of interfaith harmony. The timing of the meeting seems appropriate with the bombings in London and Egypt.
Michael Williams, Special Advisor to the British Foreign Secretary, said religious school sometimes can lead kids astray and we need to address that. "There is a question in some countries regarding schools, which here are called pesantren. Sometimes we are afraid that they have drifted away and we are afraid the institutions are prone to extremism. We need to bring them closer."
It is interesting that the US still has a travel advisory on Indonesia, but none on London. Where would you feel safer? Realistically in today's climate of wars and suicide bombers, any big city or center of attention can be a target. Bali may again see trouble, but if that happens, I urge people to think about who is behind it. Not the 99.9% of Muslims here in Indonesia. If Bali gets a future attack, don't label Bali as 'that trouble spot'. People still visit Spain, NYC and London. Those places are not on any travel advisory, so Bali shouldn't be either.
I like the way the Bali the Declaration recognizes poverty and economic injustice as obstacles to efforts to promote interfaith harmony. It's very convenient in the west to turn a blind eye to economic injustice and hardship. Pulling yourself up by your bootstraps is all good, but try that in a climate where corruption on the highest level goes hand in hand with the police, foreign corporations and governments. The seeds of discontent are there, and its up to us to respond to them or ignore them.
By Nick | Permalink
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