Prince Charles vows to boost inter-faith dialogue

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Sun, 11/02/2008 10:28 AM  |  Headlines


The Prince of Wales arrives at Halim Perdanakusumah Airport, East Jakarta, by Royal Air Force plane, Saturday. The prince is on a four-day visit to Indonesia to promote understanding on interfaith matters and to give a presidential lecture on forestry issues. (JP/Ricky Yudhistira)

Britain’s Crown Prince Charles arrived here Saturday for a five-day visit to promote forest conservation and interfaith dialogue.

Shortly after landing at Halim Perdanakusuma airport, Charles proceeded to the Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta for talks with Din Syamsuddin, chairman of the country’s second largest Muslim organization, the Muhammadiyah and noted Muslim scholars Azyumardi Azra and Tarmizi Taher.

Din said after the closed-door meeting that Prince Charles was committed to interfaith
dialogue, particularly between Muslims and Christians.

“Prince Charles underlines that the traditional wisdom of various religions in the world could help fight our common enemies, such as poverty and backwardness,” Din said.

On Sunday Charles is scheduled to visit the Harapan Hutan rain forest conservation project in Jambi, Sumatra.

Antara news agency reported the local police have heightened security on Saturday, ahead of the royal visit.

During his trip to Jambi, Charles will visit a forestry rehabilitation project, which is a home to various protected flora and fauna.

The Prince of Wales is to meet President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Palace on Monday and attend a discussion on religious issues later in the day.

Charles will travel to Yogyakarta on Tuesday to meet the sultan and governor, Hamengkubuwono X, and visit Borobudur Buddhist temple and an Islamic boarding school in Krapyak, south of Yogyakarta.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Teuku Faizasya said climate change, global warming and forestry would top the agenda of Charles’ tour of Asia, including Indonesia.

The prince last visited Indonesia in 1989 with the late Princess Diana.

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Alastair Murray, Perth W.A. (not verified) — Sun, 11/09/2008 - 9:10am

Prince Charles is a hypocrite and has no idea of "faith" - this is why Elizabeth will never allow him to sit on the throne of England!
The role of Monarch requires "Defender of the Faith" - however he says he is "Defender of the Faiths" - all the while not having any faith apart from his Pet Rock""

This man has never visited Israel - not EVER - but he has visited almost all Islamic countries. Where is the bias here I wonder???

Brigid (not verified) — Sun, 11/09/2008 - 8:17am

Just to elaborate a little more on the 'Poppy' it signifies the soldiers lives that were lost during the two world wars especially the 1st World war (the date of 11 Nov was the day WW1 ended)

It is also known as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day - the poppy represents soldiers who lost their lives - in the battle fields where the dead bodies lay red poppies later grew - this is why it is used as a symbol.

NZ and Australia also have a similar day called ANZAC day on April 25th.

Eben (not verified) — Mon, 11/03/2008 - 3:21am

Elina : that red thing on the clothing is called poppie , it is used to celebrate the anniversary on 11th November every year of the veterans.

Annette Baillargeon (not verified) — Sun, 11/02/2008 - 9:46pm

Prince Charles can only speak for himself not for the world..

Nathan (not verified) — Sun, 11/02/2008 - 5:31pm

Is this really the best time for the Price of Wales to visit Indonesia?. With possible problems following the execution of the bali bombers, I would think he might be a prime target.

Elina (not verified) — Sat, 11/01/2008 - 11:09pm

So many people seem to be wearing that funny flower-like red pendant / boutonniere on their suit these days. What does that supposed to mean anyway?

David Reyes (not verified) — Sat, 11/01/2008 - 10:53pm

Hi!This is my opinion: about international-influencial characters like The Prince of Whales taking thisvisit as a great chance to aliviate international relations as well as the local well being,this is an excellent visit seeking opportunity to clear out issues.
Excellent!

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