Australian Muslim Young Leaders Visit Indonesia

Jakarta, MINA – Five young Australian Muslim leaders visited the city of Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Makassar to experience religious diversity and tolerance in Indonesia directly and share their experiences of growing up in Australia, a country with diverse cultures.

Their visit is a part of the Australia-Indonesia Young Muslim Leaders Exchange Program (MEP). The five participants consisted of three women and two men from Sydney and Melbourne who worked in the fields of education, community development, social and financial services.

MEP program will be be held for two weeks from January 28 – February 9. They will meet Islamic organizations, community leaders, academics, media, and visit Islamic boarding schools.

Their program includes cultural and inter-religious activities such as attending on Friday prayers at the Istiqlal Mosque and visiting Borobudur Temple.

Meanwhile, as ten Indonesian Muslim delegates will also visit Australia as part of this program.

Since the establishment of the MEP Program in 2002 by the Australia-Indonesia Institute, more than 200 young Muslim leaders from both countries have participated, gaining experience about Islam and diversity in each country.

“The Program for Exchange of Young Muslim Leaders builds an in-depth understanding of Australian society about Islam in Indonesia and, for the Indonesian as a greater awareness of multicultural Australian society,” said Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Gary Quinlan.

“In a world where intolerance is increasing, two close neighboring countries such as Indonesia and Australia can show the importance of mutual understanding,” he added. (TR/Sj/P2)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)