Australian Muslim leaders explore Islam in Indonesia

Jakarta, NU Online
Some young Australian Muslim leaders have participated in a bilateral exchange program in Indonesia aimed at strengthening links and understanding of Islam in both countries, an Australian Embassy media release said on Friday.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer said this delegation reflected the broad cultural diversity of Australia`s Muslim community, comprising three male and two female participants from Melbourne, Sydney and Perth with ethnic backgrounds from Egypt, Lebanon, Malaysia, Singapore, Pakistan and South Africa.<>

During their two week program (17-31 May 2009) they visited Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Bandung and met community, education and religious leaders, civil society, academics, government officials and media representatives.

Their program also included attendance at an Australian sponsored summit on "Women and Leadership in Islamic Education" in Surabaya, a meeting at the Wahid Institute and a round-table discussion at the Center for Dialog and Cooperation among Civilizations in Jakarta.

"It`s important for young Australians to gain a better understanding of the role of religion in Indonesia and to share their views on how Islam contributes to diverse, democratic and tolerant societies like Australia and Indonesia," the Ambassador was quoted by Antara news agency as saying.

Between March-June 2009, three Indonesian Muslim delegations will make reciprocal visits to Australia on this Australia-Indonesia Exchange Program for Young Muslim Leaders (MEP). The third and final Indonesian delegation will depart for Australia in June 2009.

MEP was established in 2002 by the Australian Government through the Australia-Indonesia Institute (AII). AII has fulfilled a unique and vital role in fostering friendship and promoting understanding between Australia and Indonesia through projects in interfaith, education, youth, civil society, media, sport and the arts.

The Ambassador earlier launched a publication presenting various perspectives on basic education in Islamic schools in Indonesia. It is hoped that it will contribute to lively discussion and debate leading to improvement in the quality of education. (dar)