2nd ASEAN Islam Conference Kick-Started in Bali

TheIndonesia.co - Indonesian Vice President Ma’ruf Amin formally kick-started the 2nd ASEAN Islam Conference in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Thursday, December 22.

As reported by Antara, in his opening remarks, VP Amin expressed his hopes that the conference can be the platform to strengthen cooperation and works between member states.

“This conference can hopefully strengthen the position of ummah [Muslim community] on the global stage,” he said.

This year’s edition of the conference is attended by delegations from ASEAN’s 10 state members and Saudi Arabia. VP Amin added that upon the completion of the event, ASEAN countries and Saudi Arabia are expected to assess potential cooperation, especially in education and research.

Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Zainut Tauhid Sa'adi revealed the reason behind appointing Bali to host the international event.

"Bali is the meeting point of global communities from all across the globe, and Balinese people are known for being open and friendly. Communities also live side by side harmoniously in diversity,” Sa’adi explained.

The conference will take place on December 22-23, and 140 delegations from ASEAN member states and Saudi Arabia are set to attend the event.

Ulema, academics, and leaders of Islamic organizations from Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Saudi Arabia will also be present at the conference.

Among a number of topics that will be discussed during the two-day occasion are anticipating extremism in religion and culture as well as challenges faced by Islamic organizations in empowering ummah in the digital age.