JAKARTA- Trilateral Islamic Conference is all set to start on 11 May, Friday in Bogor Palace Jakarta. The conference is a historic momentum as it is the first meeting of scholars from the three major nations representing more than 488 million Muslim populations. Indonesian President Joko Widodo – as the organizer of the conference of Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MIU) will officially inaugurate it.
The theme of the conference is “Islam Rahmatan lil Alamin, Peace and Stability in Afghanistan”, and leading clerics attending the conference will discuss their role in spreading the speed and solidarity in Afghanistan. The five issues which will be discussed namely peace and friendship in Islam, violent extremism and ai’tidal or tolerance, the role of ulama, the role of the state and the way forward, are on the agenda of the conference.
The idea of the conference was proposed by Indonesian president, who during his state visit to Pakistan and Afghanistan presented it to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. After some talks, head of states of three countries agreed to the efforts of Indonesia.
Scholars and participants of the conference hope that this meeting will exert pressure on Taliban to stop the armed rebellion, and come to the negotiation table. However, after Taliban turned down the invitation to attend the conference, the chances – that they will agree to negotiate – are minimal. Taliban has called the conference “un-Islamic” and urged scholars from participating in it, reported Al-Jazeera.
The idea by the Afghan government to get a fatwa from Ulamas to delegitimize the Taliban’s fight as jihad was floated seven years ago, but this is the first time it’s taken a practical form.
