JakArt@2001 International Inter-Religious Dialogue On Culture AND Religion

CULTURE AND RELIGION AS THE LINK TO THE
UNDERSTANDING OF THE OTHER
 org. by:
IRAWAN ABIDIN 

Wednesday 27 June – Friday 29 June
Hotel Atlet Century Park

Inter-Religious Dialogue on Art and Religion
as a Vehicle for Creating World Peace

As important as any other event in JakArt@2001 is the “Inter-religious Dialogue on the Role of Art and Religion as a Vehicle for Creating World Peace”. JakArt@2001 is an International Art, Cultural and Educational Festival initiated by the Yayasan Pro Seni that will be held during the whole month of June 2001 in commemoration and celebration of the founding of Jakarta, the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia.

To the Muslim participants in the dialogue, the Dialogue will be an opportunity to demonstrate to the other participants that Islam is not the threat and the adversary of the West that it has often been portrayed in popular mass media. More important, it will also be an opportunity for them to learn the beliefs of those who profess other religions and the common grounds that they all are religions when it comes to art and to the ways by which art can be used to promote peace.

In the case of the Inter-religious Dialogue on Art and Religion to be held in Jakarta in June, participants will not only be leaders of religious organizations, religious scholars and academicians but also artist, art critics, connoisseurs and enthusiasts in various art forms as well as political scientist and peace workers.

The Inter-religious Dialogue will be carried out in accordance with a growing tradition of cordial and thoughtful encounters between persons and groups with different religious views but eager to learn from others what they have to offer by way of insight on how to deal with life and with the problems confronting humanity in our time.

The same applies with all other participants: they will have a chance to explain their beliefs for the enlightenment of the rest, to learn how others give expression to their own spirituality and what they have in common with those others.

The ultimate result could be a pool of ideas on how to promote art so that art will and religion, in turn, serve as the instrument for the promotion of mutual understanding and appreciation among all peoples of different religions, ideologies and races. In an atmosphere of mutual understanding and mutual appreciation, neither disputes nor conflicts can thrive. There can only be flowering of peace.

SEMINAR ON “INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE ON ART AND RELIGION : Vehicle for Creating World Peace”
In the course of the preparation for the JakArt@2001 Festival the organizers have enjoyed close contact with people and organizations of various religious beliefs, universities and institutions. Encouraged by their support, JakArt@2001 has developed an idea to further promote interreligious dialogue on art and religion as a way to promote mutual understanding and goodwill. JakArt@2001 proposes to organize an international seminar on the theme : “Art and Religion: A vehicle for Creating World Peace”.

1  Rationale for the Seminar
The Muslim – Christian dialogue has been thoroughly studied at the theoretical level and there is basis in both Islam and Christian traditions and teachings for the promotion of dialogue and cooperation between Muslims, Christians and other Great Religions desiring social harmony. The seminar could therefore contribute to the growth of social harmony between Muslim, Christian and other Great Religions by exploring ways and means by which adherents of those faiths can work together and bring about social progress and economic development in the communities or societies in which they live. This is going to be a shift from abstract discussions to the explanation of concrete ways by which all the Great Religions can pool their resources together and solve the human problems and help create a better life for all. The focus will be on the bases in Islamic, Christians, Buddhist, Hindu, Mormon, Sikh, Confucius/Matakin and other Great Religions, level and teachings for inter-religious cooperation, on the necessity and practicality of all Great Religions working together, and on the areas and issues of human life that all could effectively address together, including those in the field of art and culture.
Hopefully the seminar will strike a positive chord in international circles and help bring about eventually, a partnership of all the Great Religion for human growth and progress.

2  Organizing the Seminar
To organize the Seminar, JakArt@2001 will work closely with all religious leaders, organizations and institution in Indonesia. Under the personal direction of the Chairman, an Organizing Committee will be formed and tasked with the planning and organizing and coordinating the Seminar until it is concluded.

3 Language of the Seminar
Indonesian and English will be the languages of the seminar. During the proceedings, simultaneous translation will be carried out from one language to the other. Qualified translators for this purpose will be recruited.

4  Speakers
In the selection of Seminar speakers, the Chairman of JakArt@2001 will be assisted by Ms. Titiek Suyono as Secretary General. Speakers who can contribute to a meaningful discussion of the theme will be formally contacted. It is projected that several scholars from Indonesia as well as from other communities will be invited to focus their discussion on interreligious cooperation with special emphasis on art and religion as  practiced in their respective countries.
Speakers will be enjoined to provide the text of their discussions which should be submitted to the Organizing Committee  by June 15th, 2001 and their respective Curriculum Vitae. Copies of the texts will be distributed to the Seminar participants.

Among the suggested Speakers are the following:
a)  Prof. Dr. Nurcholish Madjid, a civic leader and noted Muslim Scholar, very much involved in inter-religious cooperation and development.
b)  Prof. Dr. Azyumardi Azra, Muslim scholar who will present specific Islamic tenets  and teachings exhorting Muslims to engage in inter-religious dialogue.
c  Dr. Amri Yahya, famous Islamic art and authority great painter residing in Yogyakarta.
d)  Prof. Dr. Leonard Swidler, a highly respected scholar from Temple University who can explain why inter-religious cooperation is of the utmost importance.
e)  Archbishop Ignatius Suhardjo from Semarang, Central Java who can tell us about the current initiative of the Catholic Church to reconcile with the Jewish, Muslim and orthodox Christian faith initiated by Pope John Paul II, the Archbishop can also tell us how the Catholic Church adopting to Javanese Culture.
f)  Professor Ingris Shafer, outstanding scholar who has shown her abilities during the Trialogue Conference in Jakarta last year, has made extensive studies and given lectures on the three Abrahamic religions.
g)  Mr. Kenneth Crossley, Arts Administrator – Brigham Young University, who can enlighten us on a religion which is very much misunderstood today from the prospectives of culture and faith.
h)  His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas, Ecumenical Patriarch Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia who can tell us how the Greek Orthodox has enriched the culture of Eastern Europe
We are still expecting other speakers, who will confirm their participation soon.

5  Seminar Participants
The Seminar is envisioned to be an “open” Seminar in the sense that invitations will not be sent to individuals but to universities and institutions. Invitations will also be sent to the following :
a)  Indonesian authorities representing the Department of Religion, BIMAS, MUI, ICMI and DGI.
b)  Religious leaders and Heads of Parishes
c)  Members of the diplomatic corps
d)  Rectors of IAIN, ATMAJAYA’s University, Paramadina’s University, Gandhi Memoriam School and Sekolah Tinggi Theologi/Filsafat etc.
e) Representative of the local as well as Foreign correspondents

6  Side Activities.
An audience with the President or Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia. <BR>A meeting with MUI, KWI and DGI
A visit to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
Lunch at ‘Desa Wisata’ provided by Sikhs

7)  Tentative Programme of the Seminar
On June 26th, 2001 the Chairman of JakArt@2001 together with representatives of various Religions will give a joint Press Conference. Besides local and international media representatives, members of the diplomatic corps will also be invited to attend.  Luncheon will be provided.

Inter-Religious Dialogue on Art and Religion as a Vehicle for Creating World Peace
As important as any other event in JakArt@2001 is the “Inter-religious Dialogue on the Role of Art and Religion as a Vehicle for Creating World Peace”. JakArt@2001 is an International Art, Cultural and Educational Festival initiated by the Yayasan Pro Seni that will be held during the whole month of June 2001 in commemoration and celebration of the founding of Jakarta, the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia
The Inter-religious Dialogue on Art, one of two international conferences to be held in connection with the month-long festival, is being organized by JakArt@2001 Festival and supported by the World Council on Religion and Peace. Their latest meeting was in Washington DC in 2000, while a dialogue of the Abraham Religion was attended by the International Scholars Annual Trialogue (ISAT) on February 14-19, 2000, in Jakarta, among many others, the top leaders of the world’s major religious organizations.
In the case of the Inter-religious Dialogue on Art and Religion to be held in Jakarta in June, participants will not only be leaders of religious organizations, religious scholars and academicians but also artist, art critics, connoisseurs and enthusiasts in various art forms as well as political scientist and peace workers.
The Inter-religious Dialogue will be carried out in accordance with a growing tradition of cordial and thoughtful encounters between persons and groups with different religious views but eager to learn from others what they have to offer by way of insight on how to deal with life and with the problems confronting humanity in our time.
To the Muslim participants in the dialogue, the Dialogue will be an opportunity to demonstrate to the other participants that Islam is not the threat and the adversary of the West that it has often been portrayed in popular mass media. More important, it will also be an opportunity for them to learn the beliefs of those who profess other religions and the common grounds that they all are religions when it comes to art and to the ways by which art can be used to promote peace.
The same applies with all other participants: they will have a chance to explain their beliefs for the enlightenment of the rest, to learn how others give expression to their own spirituality and what they have in common with those others.
The ultimate result could be a pool of ideas on how to promote art so that art will and religion, in turn, serve as the instrument for the promotion of mutual understanding and appreciation among all peoples of different religions, ideologies and races. In an atmosphere of mutual understanding and mutual appreciation, neither disputes nor conflicts can thrive. There can only be flowering of peace.

Some of the guests on Islam that will attend the dialogue are coming from Saoedi Arabia, Marrocco, Syria, Egypt and Malaysia. Other distinguished guest in Budhisme are from Taiwan and Thailand.
participants:
Bapak Irawan Abidin (Islam), Ketua JakArt@2001 Festival
Ibu Ary Sutedja (Islam), Sekretaris Jenderal JakArt@2001 Festival
Bapak Krishen Raj (Sikh-Society),
Bapak Tommy Singh Bhael (Sikh-Society),
Bapak Martino Sardi,
Bapak I. Sandyawan Sumardi, S.J. (Katolik),
Bapak Kautsar Azhari Noer (Islam),
Ibu Helen M. Quirin (Brahma Kumaris),
Bapak Bhikku Sukemo (Budha),
Bapak Herman S. Endro (Budha),
Bapak I. Ismartono (Katolik),
Bapak J. Tandiman (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints),
Bapak Neil Christenson (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints),
Bapak Ing. Joko Satyo Budi (Orthodox Indonesia),
Bapak Rm. Daniel Bambang D. Biantoro (Orthodox Indonesia),
Bapak Ben Hamzah (Paramadina),
Bapak Wawan Wiratma (Khonghucu),
Bapak Save Dagun (Penghayat Kepercayaan),
Bapak P. Djatikusumah (Penghayat Kepercayaan),
Bapak Eddie R. Notowididgo (Pendengar),

First day: 27th of June 2001
07:00 Breakfast at ….
09:00  Opening ceremonies
Report by the Chairman of JakArt@2001 
Venues State Palace (to be confirmed)
Seminar declared open by the President
Coffee break
11:00   Return to Hotel Athlete Century Park
Welcomed by Barongsai attraction
12:00  Luncheon
13:15   Opening address by Mr. Irawan Abidin, JakArt@2001
13:45         Keynote address by the Minister for Religious Affairs
14:15 Doa bersama

Presentation and discussions
14:30 Islam
15:30 Christian
16:30 Coffee break

Presentation and discussions
17:00 Orthodox
18:00 Hindus
19:30 Dinner and cultural evening

Second day: 28th of June 2001
07:00 Breakfast at

Presentation and discussions
09:00  Catholic
10:00 Confucius
11:00 Islam
12:00 Luncheon

Presentation and discussions
13:15 “Penghayatan Kepercayaan”
14:15 LDS (Latter Day of Saint)
15:15 Jewish
16:15 Coffee Break

Presentation and discussions
17:00 Christian
18:00 Orthodox
19:30 Dinner and cultural evening
Third day: 29th of June 2001
07:00 Breakfast at…

Presentation and discussions
09:00 Buddha
10:00 Catholic
11:00 Coffee Break
11:30  Confucius
12:30 Luncheon

Presentation and discussions
13:15  Brahmana
14:15 Sikhs
15:15 Islam
16:15 Coffee Break
16:45 Discussions by a panel on the theme’s taken up in the Seminar, Surfacing of insights and recommendations.
18:00 Closing remarks by the Minister of Foreign Affairs
18:30 Closing of the Seminar
19:30 Dinner and cultural evening

 
NOTULEN RAPAT PERSIAPAN

ACARA DIALOG ANTAR AGAMA

Pada hari / tanggal : Kamis, 1 Maret 2001

Jam  : 13.00 WIB

Bertempat :Sekretariat JakArt@2001 Festival

S. Widjojo Center, Lantai Dasar

Jl. Jend. Sudirman No. 71

Jakarta 12190

 

Dihadiri oleh :

1.   Bapak Irawan Abidin (Islam), Ketua JakArt@2001 Festival

2.   Ibu Ary Sutedja (Islam), Sekretaris Jenderal JakArt@2001 Festival

3.   Bapak Krishen Raj (Sikh-Society),

4.   Bapak Tommy Singh Bhael (Sikh-Society),

5.   Bapak Martino Sardi, Tel.

6.   Bapak I. Sandyawan Sumardi, S.J. (Katolik),

7.   Bapak Kautsar Azhari Noer (Islam),

8.   Ibu Helen M. Quirin (Brahma Kumaris),

9.   Bapak Bhikku Sukemo (Budha),

10. Bapak Herman S. Endro (Budha),

11. Bapak I. Ismartono (Katolik),

12. Bapak J. Tandiman (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints),

13. Bapak Neil Christenson (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints),

14. Bapak Ing. Joko Satyo Budi (Orthodox Indonesia),

15. Bapak Rm. Daniel Bambang D. Biantoro (Orthodox Indonesia),

16. Bapak Ben Hamzah (Paramadina),

17. Bapak Wawan Wiratma (Khonghucu),

18. Bapak Save Dagun (Penghayat Kepercayaan),

19. Bapak P. Djatikusumah (Penghayat Kepercayaan),

20. Bapak Eddie R. Notowididgo (Pendengar),

PEMBUKAAN:

Rapat dibuka oleh bapak Irawan Abidin selaku Ketua JakArt@2001 Festival yang menyampaikan bahwa bertepatan dengan HUT DKI Jakarta ke 474, akan diselenggarakan JakArt@2001 sebuah Festival seni budaya selama 1 bulan penuh pada bulan Juni 2001 di Jakarta. Salah satu event dalam festival tersebut adalah Dialog Antar Agama dengan judul “Inter-religious Dialogue on Art as a Vehicle for Creating World Peace” (Dialog Antar Agama mengenai seni budaya sebagai wahana menuju perdamaian dunia).

Ary Sutedja selaku Sekretaris Jenderal JakArt@2001 menerangkan bahwa festival ini merupakan suatu upaya kolektif yang akan melibatkan segenap masyarakat mulai dari kalangan masyarakat terbawah hingga yang teratas. Festival tersebut mengandung 2 misi utama yaitu :

1.  Kemanusiaan

2.  Pendidikan

Tanggapan dan Usulan Peserta:

Pada umumnya para peserta mendukung terselenggaranya Dialog Antar Agama ini, khususnya dengan memperhatikan kondisi sosial masyarakat dewasa ini yang penuh kekerasan bahkan terjadi pertikaian antar etnis dan antar agama.

Dalam menghadapi kondisi masyarakat sedemikian rupa ini maka harapan peserta adalah semoga dengan diselenggarakannya acara dialog tersebut dapat memberikan kontribusi dalam meningkatkan saling pengertian dan penghormatan terhadap masing-masing kelompok agama.

Tanggapan maupun usulan yang disampaikan adalah sbb,:

·         Pendekatan melalui seni budaya dan kemanusiaan merupakan pendekatan yang paling tepat untuk melintasi batas-batas agama dalam upaya menumbuhkan rasa saling pengertian dan penghormatan di antara umat-umat beragama maupun kepercayaan.

·         perlu adanya pendobrakan tembok-tembok pemisah antara masing-masing umat beragama

·         perlu dijauhkan rasa curiga antar umat yang berlainan agama

·         usulan untuk membentuk suatu wadah formal (Dewan Antar-agama) beranggotakan tokoh-tokoh semua agama dan kepercayaan yang ada di Indonesia yang diketuai Bapak Irawan Abidin dengan pengakuan formal dari pemerintah.  Salah satu tujuan wadah tersebut adalah untuk memperlancar Penyaluran bantuan kemanusiaan  yang datang dari salah satu kelompok agama.  Keluhan yang disampaikan adalah bahwa di pelabuhan ada 8 (delapan) container berupa bantuan kemanusiaan yang tertunda pengeluarannya.

·         usulan agar dalam festival tersebut dipergelarkan “sacred music and dance” dari berbagai agama agar masyarakat dapat mengenal dan menyadari bahwa “love and compassion” yang terkandung dalam pergelaran tersebut merupakan nilai-nilai universal yang tak mengenal (transcendent) batas-batas agama dan budaya.

·         usulan agar festival tersebut mempergelarkan acara-acara yang menjangkau seluruh lapisan masyarakat

·         mengingat bahwa dalam bentrokan/pertikaian antar-kelompok yang senantiasa menjadi korban utama adalah anak-anak, maka diusulkan agar festival menampilkan anak-anak

sebagai medium untuk menyampaikan pesan perdamaian yang didambakan oleh acara dialog antar-agama.

·         harus dicari solusi untuk menghilangkan pengkotakan kelompok-kelompok agama

·         hilangkan sifat exclusivisme

·         untuk menghindari kemungkinan timbulnya kecurigaan seyogyanya panitia beranggotakan tokoh-tokoh dari berbagai kelompok agama/kepercayaan

·         informasi bahwa di daerah Kuningan Jabar sudah secara tradisional toleransi dan saling menghormati terwujud setiap tahun dalam upacara adat “Sarang Tawon,” sebuah upacara tradisional yang diselenggarakan sebelum musim numbuk padi yang diikuti masyarakat daerah Kuningan.  Sebagaimana diinformasikan wakil dari Kelompok Kuningan, masyarakat setempat memang menganut beberapa agama yang berlainan namun mereka selama ini berhasil hidup berdampingan secara rukun dalam suasana toleransi dan saling menghormati.

·          mereka menghormati agama/kepercayaan

·         observasi bahwa dalam masyarakat kita dewasa ini telah terjadi pendangkalan nilai-nilai kemanusiaan

Kesimpulan

Hasil rapat persiapan Dialog Antar-agama dapat disimpulkan sbb.:

·         para peserta umumnya sangat mendukung terselenggaranya acara Dialog antar-agama ini

·         agar tidak dibatasi pada acara dialog saja melainkan diperluas dengan pergelaran-pergelaran yang dapat membawa pesan perdamaian

·         sepakat bahwa seni budaya dan kemanusiaan merupakan wahana yang paling tepat untuk merobohkan tembok-tembok pemisah antara umat dari berlainan agama/kepercayaan menuju perdamaian dunia.

·         harapan agar Dialog Antar-agama ini dapat menghasilkan suatu kumpulan tulisan yang dapat memberikan kontribusi dalam upaya mencapai perdamaian dunia.

SEMINAR ON

“INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE ON ART AND RELIGION : Vehicle for Creating World Peace”

In the course of the preparation for the JakArt@2001 Festival the organizers have enjoyed close contact with people and organizations of various religious beliefs, universities and institutions. Encouraged by their support, JakArt@2001 has developed an idea to further promote interreligious dialogue on art and religion as a way to promote mutual understanding and goodwill. JakArt@2001 proposes to organize an international seminar on the theme : “Art and Religion: A vehicle for Creating World Peace”.

1.   Rationale for the Seminar

The Muslim – Christian dialogue has been thoroughly studied at the theoretical level and there is basis in both Islam and Christian traditions and teachings for the promotion of dialogue and cooperation between Muslims, Christians and other Great Religions desiring social harmony. The seminar could therefore contribute to the growth of social harmony between Muslim, Christian and other Great Religions by exploring ways and means by which adherents of those faiths can work together and bring about social progress and economic development in the communities or societies in which they live. This is going to be a shift from abstract discussions to the explanation of concrete ways by which all the Great Religions can pool their resources together and solve the human problems and help create a better life for all. The focus will be on the bases in Islamic, Christians, Buddhist, Hindu, Mormon, Sikh, Confucius/Matakin and other Great Religions, level and teachings for inter-religious cooperation, on the necessity and practicality of all Great Religions working together, and on the areas and issues of human life that all could effectively address together, including those in the field of art and culture.

Hopefully the seminar will strike a positive chord in international circles and help bring about eventually, a partnership of all the Great Religion for human growth and progress.

2.   Organizing the Seminar

To organize the Seminar, JakArt@2001 will work closely with all religious leaders, organizations and institution in Indonesia. Under the personal direction of the Chairman, an Organizing Committee will be formed and tasked with the planning and organizing and coordinating the Seminar until it is concluded.

3.   Language of the Seminar

Indonesian and English will be the languages of the seminar. During the proceedings, simultaneous translation will be carried out from one language to the other. Qualified translators for this purpose will be recruited.

4.   Speakers

In the selection of Seminar speakers, the Chairman of JakArt@2001 will be assisted by Ms. Titiek Suyono as Secretary General. Speakers who can contribute to a meaningful discussion of the theme will be formally contacted. It is projected that several scholars from Indonesia as well as from other communities will be invited to focus their discussion on interreligious cooperation with special emphasis on art and religion as  practiced in their respective countries.

Speakers will be enjoined to provide the text of their discussions which should be submitted to the Organizing Committee  by June 15th, 2001 and their respective Curriculum Vitae. Copies of the texts will be distributed to the Seminar participants.

Among the suggested Speakers are the following:

a)    Prof. Dr. Nurcholish Madjid, a civic leader and noted Muslim Scholar, very much involved in inter-religious cooperation and development.

b)   Prof. Dr. Azyumardi Azra, Muslim scholar who will present specific Islamic tenets  and teachings exhorting Muslims to engage in inter-religious dialogue.

c)    Dr. Amri Yahya, famous Islamic art and authority great painter residing in Yogyakarta.

d)   Prof. Dr. Leonard Swidler, a highly respected scholar from Temple University who can explain why inter-religious cooperation is of the utmost importance.

e)    Archbishop Ignatius Suhardjo from Semarang, Central Java who can tell us about the current initiative of the Catholic Church to reconcile with the Jewish, Muslim and orthodox Christian faith initiated by Pope John Paul II, the Archbishop can also tell us how the Catholic Church adopting to Javanese Culture.

f)      Professor Ingris Shafer, outstanding scholar who has shown her abilities during the Trialogue Conference in Jakarta last year, has made extensive studies and given lectures on the three Abrahamic religions.

g)   Mr. Kenneth Crossley, Arts Administrator – Brigham Young University, who can enlighten us on a religion which is very much misunderstood today from the prospectives of culture and faith.

h)   His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas, Ecumenical Patriarch Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia who can tell us how the Greek Orthodox has enriched the culture of Eastern Europe.

We are still expecting other speakers, who will confirm their participation soon.

5.   Seminar Participants

The Seminar is envisioned to be an “open” Seminar in the sense that invitations will not be sent to individuals but to universities and institutions. Invitations will also be sent to the following :

a).        Indonesian authorities representing the Department of Religion, BIMAS, MUI, ICMI and DGI.

b).        Religious leaders and Heads of Parishes

c).Members of the diplomatic corps

d).        Rectors of IAIN, ATMAJAYA’s University, Paramadina’s University, Gandhi Memoriam School and Sekolah Tinggi Theologi/Filsafat etc.

e).        Representative of the local as well as Foreign correspondents

6. Side Activities

An audience with the President or Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia.

A meeting with MUI, KWI and DGI

A visit to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah

Lunch at ‘Desa Wisata’ provided by Sikhs

7.   Tentative Programme of the Seminar

On June 26th, 2001 the Chairman of JakArt@2001 together with representatives of various Religions will give a joint Press Conference. Besides local and international media representatives, members of the diplomatic corps will also be invited to attend.  Luncheon will be provided.