Australian Muslims learn About Indonesian Islam

Jakarta, NU Online
A delegation of five young Australian Muslims are in Indonesia for a bilateral exchange program aimed at strengthening links and understanding of Islam in both countries.<>

During the two-week Australia-Indonesia Muslim Exchange Program, Kashif Bouns, Laila Ibrahim, Mohamed Dukuly, Nur Shkembi and Reuben Brand will go to Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Bandung.

The group will meet Islamic organizations, community leaders, academics and the media. Their program includes cultural and interfaith experiences such as attending Waisak celebrations at Borobudur, playing futsal with Rumah Cemara, an organization that supports people living with HIV/AIDS, and an overnight stay at Pesantren Daar el Qolam in Tangerang.

The Australian ambassador to Indonesia, Greg Moriarty, said the delegation reflected the cultural diversity of Australia’s Muslim community.

“This year’s participants have family connections to Lebanon, Pakistan, the Palestinian Territories, Albania and Liberia,” the ambassador said as quoted by the Jakarta Globe.

“It’s important for young Australians to gain a better understanding of the role of religion in Indonesia and have the chance to share their views about how Islam contributes to diverse, democratic and tolerant societies like Australia and Indonesia,” he said.

Laila Ibrahim, from Sydney, said she had enjoyed her time in Indonesia so far.

“It is an amazing experience for me to see how warm and generous Indonesians are and it is very rewarding to learn about Islam at a pesantren here,” Ibrahim said.

Ten Indonesian Muslim delegates will also visit Australia as part of the program.

The MEP was established in 2002 by the Australia-Indonesia Institute and is organized along with Paramadina University.

The iInstitute, which supports friendship and promotes understanding between Australians and Indonesians through projects in interfaith, education, youth, civil society, media, sport and the arts, is this year celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq