RSSThirty Catholic, Protestant and Muslim women from Indonesia and Malaysia have started a movement for peace as a result of a recent interfaith workshop.
 |
| Workshop participants (from left) Retno Tri, a Catholic; Endang Larasati Pohan, a Muslim; and Protestant Reverend Marlyn Takaria. |
The movement “asks governments, Churches and society to take women´s interest into account when drafting policies, and to involve women in conflict solution and reconciliation building,” said Reverend Rosmalia Barus, from the Communion of Protestant Churches in Indonesia (PGI), on March 4.
Reverend Barus heads the PGI Department for Women and Children, which organized the Feb. 23-26 workshop together with the Asian Women Fellowship and Mission 21, a Christian organization based in Basel city, Switzerland.
The event took place in Cipayung village of Bogor, West Java.
Reverend Barus announced the launch of the “Peace-loving Women Movement” at the end of the workshop that addressed the theme, “Women as Agents of Peace.”
Discussions during the event showed that women from different religions had already engaged in interfaith activities for peace, but the media had not publicized their efforts.
“The first immediate action after this workshop is to inform people about this movement and invite more women to join,” she said, noting that participants decided that they would start their own local movements and build up a network.
“We will also invite Buddhist, Hindu and Confucian women to join. Every woman who loves peace may become a member,” she added.
In his opening address, PGI chairperson Reverend Andreas Yewangoe highlighted the pluralistic nature of Indonesian society, with its many ethnic and religious groups, and called for mutual respect. “The recognition of such diversity is the basis of the nation´s survival,” he said.
He recalled the 2007 letter, titled “A Common Word,” that 138 Islamic leaders sent to Church leaders worldwide, calling for dialogue between Christians and Muslims. “There is a common word, ´love,´ that we all must comprehend and put into practice,” he stressed.
Reverend Yewangoe said he hopes Churches initiate interreligious activities to deal with poverty.
Women from different religious backgrounds welcomed the new peace movement.
Youngest participant Irma Muthoharoh said she appreciated Christian women inviting her, a Muslim, to participate in the workshop. “This is the most beautiful moment of my life,” she shared, adding that she hopes women can really act as peace agents in their communities.
Retno Tri from the Catholic bishops´ conference´s secretariat for gender and women empowerment, noted that “from experience in the field we see the need to have such a movement.”
It will inspire women to serve in social affairs and humanity, said Protestant Reverend Marlyn Takaria. “Back home I will continue to strive for the unity of Muslim and Christian women, and to work for peace.”
Reverend Lucy Kumala of Mission 21 admitted the work ahead will not be easy. However, she told the women not to worry: “Please go home as peace agents. God will help and strengthen you!”
During the workshop, Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Confucian representatives also addressed the topic of “Religion, Source of Peace,” from their religious perspective, in a panel discussion.
Share
Twitter