MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA—Muhammadiyah and the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) recently collaborated to host the Interfaith Diapraxis: Religious Moderation for a Just and Peaceful Civilization at Madrasah Muallimin Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta on Wednesday (November 22). The event featured insightful talks by Yuli Mumpuni Widarso and KV Soon Vidyananda.
Yuli Mumpuni Widarso, the Advisor of the Muhammadiyah Department of International Relations and Cooperation (LHKI), expressed her concerns regarding persisting issues of discrimination and violations of religious rights. She underscored the crucial role of Muhammadiyah in guiding its members and the broader community through the challenges of the digital era in that the influx of information and the menace of misinformation prevails.
Yuli also emphasized the necessity of fostering solidarity and collaboration among diverse religious communities. The diapraxis aimed to establish a platform for open dialogue and collective problem-solving.
Yuli said that “moderation” entails finding moderate means and opposing extremism—a challenge many religions face. Proposing a solution, she advocated for the promotion of the idea that Islam should not be equated with extremism. By highlighting the concept of “wasathiyah” or moderation, she believed that the Islamic community could effectively confront the challenges posed by extremism.
KV Soon Vidyananda, Executive Committee Member of INEB and Secretary of the International Forum on Buddhist Muslim Forum (BMF), highlighted common ground between Muhammadiyah and Buddhism, particularly in their shared vision of a peaceful civilization. In the context of the diapraxis, he underscored three key elements: dialogue, moderation, and civilization.
Vidyananda stressed that diapraxis goes beyond being a mere forum for discussion or idea-sharing; it involves action. Consequently, he emphasized the need for meetings, learning, and mutual support to achieve a peaceful civilization.
In his concluding remarks, Vidyananda quoted the profound words of Muhammad Abduh: “I went to Western countries, I saw Islam but did not see Muslims, and I went to Arab countries, I saw Muslims but did not see Islam.”
The Interfaith diapraxis was expected to lead to a peaceful and just civilization. Mumpuni Widarso and KV Soon Vidyananda have presented profound ideas and reflections on the significance of religious moderation, interfaith dialogue, and the role of civilization as the foundational element for collective well-being.
