H

undreds of Muslim scholars descended on Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, on Friday to attend the International Ulema Conference, which aims to promote moderate Islam.

The conference, held by Al-Azhar Alumni International Organization (OIAA), is being attended by 400 Muslim scholars from 21 countries, including Indonesia, Egypt, Iraq, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Timor Leste. It is the second time the conference has been held in Mataram after the initial event last year.

West Nusa Tenggara Governor Muhammad Zainul Majdi, also known as Tuan Guru Bajang, who is also the chairman of OIAA Indonesia, said last year moderate Islam was discussed at the conference, while this year its implementation was the theme.

“We will discuss how the past scholars upheld moderate Islam and how Ahlussunah Waljamaah [basic tenets] can build supporting relations among all human beings and all creations,” he said during the opening on Friday.

He said the basic teachings had been conducted by earlier scholars, which brought unity to Muslims and religious communities in Indonesia.

“I am certain if we can make wasatiyah [moderation] something that unites us, we as a nation will remain strong,” the governor said.

Conference committee head Fauzan Zakaria said the two-day conference was aimed at developing moderate, tolerant and friendly Islamic values that were important to tackle the spread of extremism and radicalism.

“We will try to offer concepts in handling global conflicts,” he said.