By Bernama
Jakarta : President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono urged Indonesian Muslims to take Islamophobia in stride, as many people think that Islam is not preaching justice and harmony.
“The world feared Islam or was gripped by Islamophobia because it had misunderstood Islam,” ANTARA quoted Susilo as saying at a function to commemorate the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday at the Kanzus Shalawat Mosque in Pekalongan, Central Java on Wednesday.
He called on Muslims in the country to face Islamophobia in a rational way by building a good understanding, dialogue and cooperation.
Therefore, the head of state called on Muslims in the country to face Islamophobia in a rational way by building good understanding, dialog and cooperation.
“Face what is unpleasant in a broad-minded way and try to show that Islam is a religion of peace which teaches love and harmony to its followers,” Susilo said.
The president also urged Muslim clerics to play their role in guiding Muslims towards living in harmony with other religious communities.
“There should be real concord between the people and clerics to create a better life in the future,” he said.
Meanwhile, Central Java Governor Ali Mufidz, in his address, said that Muslim clerics in the province were playing an active role in giving good instruction to their followers.
The governor said this was proven by the fact that recent regional head elections in several districts and municipalities in Central Java had taken place in peaceful and orderly ways.