Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla on September 9 welcomed some inter-religious figures from Myanmar at his office in Jakarta, and held a discussion on tolerance, harmony, and situation of interfaith people in both countries.

The event was held through cooperation between the government and the Indonesia Inter-Religious Council (IRC) initiated by Din Syamsuddin, a national Muslim figure.

“The delegations of Myanmar’s inter-religious figures were here to share their views on how Indonesia maintains inter-faith harmony,” Syamsuddin remarked.

According to Syamsuddin, the vice president had highlighted Indonesia’s founding principles of Pancasila and Bhineka Tunggal Ika, an old Javanese termed translated as “Unity in Diversity,” the official national motto of Indonesia.

They have helped people lead a harmonious existence. Furthermore, religious moderation is expected to serve as a reference for other countries home to different religions.

Leader of Myanmar’s delegations Cardinal Charles Bo lauded the meeting and expressed the hope of taking a cue from Indonesia on equality among people of different faiths.

“We have seen a wide body of experience on how this Muslim-majority nation upholds equality without any discrimination,” Cardinal Bo remarked.