Jordan Times
Thursday, October 13, 2005
'Mideast peace key to anti-terror fight'
JAKARTA (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah on
Wednesday held talks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhyono on
bilateral ties and issues of concern to the Muslim world.
King Abdullah arrived here as part of a three-day tour of Asian Muslim countries
to rally support for a campaign he launched to defend Islam against extremism
and terrorism practised in the name of religion.
In his talks with Yudhyono, the King reviewed Jordan's efforts to fight attempts
to distort Islam, emphasising the importance of coordination between the
Kingdom, Indonesia and other Muslim countries to present the true image of the
religion.
The Monarch briefed the Indonesian president on the outcome of the international
Islamic conference that Amman organised in July with the participation of 180
Muslim clerics and thinkers from 45 countries.
He pointed to a communiqu? issued by the participants, rejecting the takfir (labelling
Muslims as apostates), adopted by extremists.
King Abdullah said the recent terrorist attacks in Indonesia's Bali Island and
the fact that Jordan itself was a victim of terrorism was a reminder that both
countries should work hand in hand to win the battle against terror.
The two sides, meanwhile, discussed mechanisms of cooperation, particularly in
the fields of education and culture. The King told Yudhyono that Jordan was
ready to increase the number of seats allocated for Indonesian students willing
to study Arabic language and Sharia at Jordanian public universities.
They also agreed to boost the trade volume as well as economic and investment
cooperation.
In their discussion of the Middle East developments, King Abdullah pointed out
that achieving peace in the region has become an urgent need and a prerequisite
to triumph in the anti-terror fight.
At a press conference following the meeting, King Abdullah expressed sympathy
with the Indonesian people over the Bali terror attacks that left behind
hundreds of victims, voicing Jordan's solidarity with Indonesia and its
willingness to extend every possible assistance to this Muslim country.
He told reporters that his meeting with Yudhyono was at a critical stage amid
tremendous challenges facing the Muslim world.
He said the Muslim nation has to shoulder the responsibility of defending the
true Islam as a faith that promotes peace, tolerance and human dignity.
He also called for concerted international efforts to support the Middle East
peace process as well as efforts by the Palestinian Authority to build
democratic institutions.
On the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the King reiterated that this development
was an important milestone in the history of the conflict.
He told the presser that he discussed with Yudhyono the situation in Iraq and
agreed on the need to support the country's efforts to build a better future and
empower all Iraqis to participate in the political process.
For his part, the Indonesian president reviewed the outcome of his talks with
King Abdullah and stressed his country's support for the Middle East peace
process.
But he stressed that such support does not mean that Jakarta seeks to establish
diplomatic ties with Israel.
The talks were attended by King's Personal Envoy and Special Adviser HRH Prince
Ghazi, Royal Court Chief Faisal Fayez, Deputy Director of National Security and
acting Director of the King's Office Marouf Bakhit, Foreign Minister Farouq
Qasrawi and Charge d'Affaires at the Jordanian embassy in Jakarta Maher Lukasha.
The King's three-day tour will also take him to Malaysia and Pakistan for talks
with King Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin and his Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi,
as well as President Pervez Musharraf.