Religious authorities and community leaders play a very important role in creating peace, building harmony and togetherness within the country, the region and the world.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo officially opened the R20 International Summit of Religious Authorities, at the Park Hyatt Hotel Ballroom, Jakarta, Monday.

On the occasion, the head of state welcomed the presence of religious figures and delegations because they have been making active efforts to strengthen world peace and bridge differences in Indonesia.

According to the president, it really does not make sense as in today's super modern world there are still open wars and massacres that kill civilians, including women and children.

He emphasized that Indonesia believes that independence is the right of all nations and this is clearly stated in the Indonesian constitution.

“The humanitarian tragedy in Palestine cannot be tolerated in the slightest. A ceasefire must be taken into force immediately, humanitarian assistance must be accelerated, and peace negotiations must begin immediately," he stressed.

The president added that Indonesia also has long experience in uniting diversity, bridging differences and unifying plurality.

He noted that currently Indonesia's population has almost reached 280 million people, consisting of 714 tribes, more than 1,300 local or regional languages, adhering to different religions, and inhabiting 17,000 islands throughout the country.

“It's not an easy thing to unite, but we can. And we are grateful that Indonesia is able to eliminate tribal egos, able to remove religious egos, able to eradicate regional egos, so that it is able to realize its national slogan Bhinneka Tunggal Ika or unity in diversity," he said, adding that this would not be able to be realized if it were not supported by religious teachings.

He went on to say that unity would not be able to be realized if it were not supported by religious leaders who taught that love of the homeland is part of faith, tolerance for differences is part of faith, and maintaining unity is also part of faith.

The president further said that the Indonesian people believe that religions, religious authorities and community leaders play a very important role in creating peace, building harmony and togetherness within the country, the region and the world.

"Let us create dialogue among religions, across nations to bridge differences and stop all forms of conflict, so that we can create a peaceful world, a harmonious world, a prosperous world together. And by saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim (in the name of God, the merciful and compassionate), this morning I officially opened the Religion of 20 International Summit of Religious Authorities," he said.

Reporting by Indonesia Window