Italy Applauds Indonesia’s Tolerance on Religious Diversity

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Italian President Sergio Mattarella’s recent visitation to Indonesia marks renewed relationship with the archipelago state with dialogues expanded to the spectrum of interfaith issue.

Indonesia has been generally viewed at the international arena as capable of maintaining coexistence of varying religions despite its status being the home of predominantly Muslim society.

Such positive attribute surely invites similarly positive responses by countries that have problems achieving a peaceful religious coexistence within their dominion.

In his welcoming speech for ‘First Bilateral Dialogue between Indonesia and Italy’ at Kempinski Grand Ballroom on November 10 2015, President Mattarella unwaveringly stated his admiration towards Indonesia and its worth- applauding ability to maintain peaceful coexistence of religious diversity through the arguably correct implementation of democratic values within its system to allow for such peaceful coexistence to occur.

“Indonesia hosts the largest Muslim population in the world and an example of coexistence and democratic pluralism,” he explained in the first three minutes of his speech in front of attending business delegates from the two countries and media representatives that were invited.

Italian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr. Federico Failla who was also present during the event made a similar remark which was expressed to Liputan6.com on October 30 2015 during a special interview held for ‘The Ambassador’ program.

“Indonesia is a very interesting model of religious tolerance, acceptance of democracy and of all things that are sometimes some part of the world even close to Italy are forgotten,” he stated. (Akp/Rie)