INDONESIA COULD RECONCILE ISLAM, DEMOCRACY: GERMANY FIGURES

Frankfurt, 2 Muharram 1437/15 October 2015 (MINA) – Figures from Germany, Prof. Monica Grutters expressed his appreciation to Indonesia which could reconcile Islam and democracy.

This year’s guest of honour, the young democracy Indonesia, the most populous Muslim country in the world, often held up as a model for how to reconcile Islam and democracy, and the host country Germany, which is asking itself how to protect and preserve the democratic values that have made it the destination of choice for hundreds of thousands of people fleeing predominantly Muslim countries, “ said Grutterrs in Frankfurt book fair opening session. Official Frankfurt bookfair website quoted bu Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)

Meanwhile, Indonesian Minister of Education and Culture Anies Baswedan expressed his appreciation to the event organizer for inviting Indonesia as a guest of honor. In his 15-minute speech, Anies highlighted the history of the country’s establishment, the Bhineka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) principle, and the literacy improvement in Indonesia over the last decade.

The 2015 Frankfurt Book Fair was officially opened on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at Frankfurt Messe, Germany. Indonesia was made as a guest of honor at the 500-year-old event.

Attending the opening ceremony were Indonesian Elementary and Secondary Minister Anies Baswedan, Indonesian Ambassador to Germany Fauzi Bowo, Indonesia Pavilion Organizing Committee chief Goenawan Mohamad, Frankfurt Mayor Peter Feldmann and other local authorities.

After the opening ceremony, guests were invited to walk around Indonesian Pavilion located at the hall. In the dimly lighted room, guests were entertained by German children singing Serumpun Padi composed by Maladi, an independence fighter who was appointed as Youth and Sports Minister during former President Sukarno’s era. (L/R03/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)