Abuse of religion becomes the greatest threat to peace and harmony, says Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr Nasaruddin Umar at CCA’s interfaith conference
Jakarta, Indonesia: Inaugurating the international Inter-religious Conference on Freedom of Religion and the Rights of Religious Minorities in Asia, the Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, His Excellency Prof. Dr Nasaruddin Umar stated that the greatest threat to peace does not come from religion as such, but the real threat comes from the abuse of religion, when sacred teachings are misinterpreted for political or personal gains.
While delivering the inaugural address at the opening session of the inter-religious conference organised by the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) and the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), the Minister of Religious Affairs of the world’s largest Muslim populated country said, “When religious beliefs are reduced to a tool for exclusion rather than strengthening or promoting unity, social disorder and disharmony will prevail in any society, therefore, an urgent need is to combat the abuse of religion, and education based on love the most powerful tool must be introduced to empower the younger generation to prevent prejudice before it turns into violence”.
"When we teach students to appreciate diversity, we plant the seeds of peace in the minds of future generations, and we need to adopt a curriculum of love; we need to equip the citizens who fight not only for their own rights but also for the rights of others, especially the vulnerable and marginalised,” further stated Prof. Dr Umar.
The Minister of Religious Affairs underscored that “freedom of religion and belief is not only protected by law but also lived out and celebrated within society”.
The three-day inter-religious conference began with an inter-faith prayer at the Grha Oikoumene Auditorium in Jakarta on Wednesday, 17 September 2025.
Religious leaders from different Asian countries – Rev. Lenta Simbolon (Christianity) Swami Gururethnam Jnana Thapaswi (Hinduism), Dr Hussain Madavoor Moulana (Islam), Ms Harkirtan Kaur (Sikhism), Venerable Phramaha Napan Thawornbanjob (Buddhist) and Budi Santoso Tanuwibowo (Confucianism) – led the opening interfaith prayer service.
Each lifted petitions for goodness, peace, justice, and well-being in today’s troubled world where hatred and religious intolerance are increasing. The religious leaders echoed their supplications and aspirations for the well-being of the universe and the entire humanity during the communal prayer service.
In his introductory remarks and welcome address, CCA General Secretary Dr Mathews George Chunakara emphasised that freedom of religion and belief is not only a moral imperative but also a cornerstone for advancing civil liberties and fostering a global community essential for the survival of humanity.
Dr Chunakara underlined that freedom of religion and belief is intrinsically linked with all other fundamental rights, making it vital for the Church in Asia to defend not only its own rights but also those of others, irrespective of religion or faith.
He further stressed that CCA affirms the faith and witness of all human beings regardless of their religious identity, especially at a time when escalating religious intolerance, ethnic strife, and inter-community conflicts across Asia pose serious concerns for CCA’s member churches and councils.
While extending greetings and welcoming the participants, the General Chairperson of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) Rev. Jacklevyn Manuputty expressed his gratitude to all participants across Asia for taking the time to attend the conference.
Rev. Manuputty underscored the significance of the interfaith conference in the Indonesian context and expressed his hope that it would serve as a platform for reflection and analysis on the current state of religious freedom for minorities in Asia, while also identifying key issues, sharing best practices, and formulating actionable policy recommendations.
Thematic sessions include: “Freedom of Religion and Rights of Religious Minorities in Asia: Challenges”; “Upholding the Values of Human Dignity and Human Rights: Inter-Religious Perspectives”; “Country-Specific Situations on Religious Freedom”, “Rights of Religious Minorities in Indonesia – Interfaith Perspectives”; “The Role of the Judiciary in Upholding Constitutional Guarantees on Freedom of Religion and Minority Rights in Asia”; and “Towards Effective Advocacy for Religious Freedom through Collaborative Efforts in Asia – Recommendations for Follow-up”.
The conference has brought together more than seventy representatives from almost all major religions across Asia and will conclude on 19 September 2025.
