MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, CAMBODIA – Chairperson of Muhammadiyah Syafiq Mughni attended the Islam-Buddhism Summit to strengthen strategic ties with the Cambodian government, Buddhists, and religious institutions across ASEAN.
The summit, held in Phnom Penh on Thursday, February 27, brought together delegations from 31 countries. Discussions centered on the role of religious values in addressing extremism and shared insights from various religious organizations.
Syafiq emphasized that the summit plays a crucial role in fostering harmony between Muslims and Buddhists.
“The Islam-Buddhism Summit is an important event to strengthen ties and build a more harmonious relationship between Muslims and Buddhists,” said Syafiq.
Syafiq added that the summit goes beyond interfaith dialogue by promoting broader social harmony, peace, and justice.
“The summit is more than improving interfaith relations. The ultimate goal is to create a peaceful, united, and just society,” added Syafiq.
Strengthening Interfaith Collaboration
A key discussion at the summit focused on Cambodia’s initiatives to support its Muslim population. The Prime Minister of Cambodia outlined several programs designed to provide educational and religious support.
“We also learned about Cambodia’s policies, including programs led by the Prime Minister and religious officials to support the Muslims here,” explained Syafiq.
“These initiatives include education programs, teacher training, and ensuring the freedom to practice Islam in Cambodia,” he added.
Besides discussing Cambodia’s efforts, the summit also provided a platform for ASEAN nations to share their experiences regarding the relationship between Islam and Buddhism and the state of religious freedom in their respective countries.
“We heard insights from ASEAN countries about the dynamics between Islam and Buddhism and the general state of religious freedom in each nation,” he said.
“Indeed, the summit enables us to learn from religious organizations that work to uphold human dignity. Their efforts play a crucial role in improving social conditions and ensuring a better quality of life for all,” said Syafiq.
