J

akarta: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called on Indonesian Muslims to follow the Prophet Muhammad in promoting peace in a pluralistic society.

The President made the appeal while attending a commemoration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday organized by the Majelis Rasulullah Muslim assembly at the National Monument (Monas) square here on Sunday.

“Let us follow the Prophet, his morals and manners as well as his attitude and politeness,” the President said, stressing how the Prophet built solidarity and developed life in diversity without violence.

His call came as string of incidents of religious violence broke out in several regions. The most recent violence was targeted at the Shiite community in Madura. Even Religious Minister Suryadharma Ali issued a provocative statement, saying Shiite beliefs were heretical.

Yudhoyono said that the leadership and the manners of the Prophet in managing the state and the nation’s life at that time deserved to be followed today, Antara reported.