“For Indonesians, we should accept the good things that are seen by the world. Then, we must work even harder, more seriously and more effectively to improve what has not been good in our country.”
Source/Credit: The Jakarta Globe
By SP/Robertus Wardi | May 27, 2013
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that the World Statesman Award, set to be bestowed on him this week, reflects on the development of democracy of Indonesia and should not be seen negatively.
Yudhoyono heads to Sweden today, followed by a visit to New York, to accept the World Statesman Award from the Appeal of Conscience Foundation. Interfaith activists and human rights groups have said the president is undeserving of the award, which is handed out annually to “heads of state who have exemplified their commitment to freedom, human rights, peace and respect for religious and ethnic diversity, and endeavor to advance these essential democratic values on the international scene.”
Yudhoyono’s staff have defended the honor, saying he has been an active member of global interfaith dialogues. On Monday, Yudhoyono said that the award is an acknowledgement of Indonesia’s development.
“We should be thankful because the world saw [that] even though there are many weaknesses in our country, the foundation gives an award for our democracy development, my commitment as a president to build peace and settle conflicts peacefully, tribute to human rights in general and roles in international dialogues,” the president said at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport before taking off to Sweden.
However, he admitted that there are still incidents of religious intolerance in the country.
“For Indonesians, we should accept the good things that are seen by the world. Then, we must work even harder, more seriously and more effectively to improve what has not been good in our country,” he said.
The award has garnered widespread criticism from interfaith and human rights activists, who say Yudhoyono has failed to resolve Indonesia’s religious intolerance problems. Critics cite the closures of churches in Bogor and Bekasi, along with attacks on Ahmadiyah Muslims as examples.
Yudhoyono said that his visit to the Big Apple was mainly to attend the fifth meeting of the UN High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
Yudhoyono, accompanied by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono and his entourage will return to Indonesia on June 2.
Read original post here: Yudhoyono Defends Statesman Award as Indonesia’s Pride
This content-post is archived for backup and to keep archived records of any news Islam Ahmadiyya. The views expressed by the author and source of this news archive do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Ahmadiyya Times.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for your comments. Any comments irrelevant to the post's subject matter, containing abuses, and/or vulgar language will not be approved.