News August 2005

Indonesian Moslem Leader Visits as Part of US State Department Program

Mr. Muhammed Adnan (third from left) with invited guests

Mr. Muhammad Adnan, an Indonesian Moslem leader, visited the International Religious Liberty Association and the Seventh-day Adventist Church's headquarters on August 2 as part of a program sponsored by the United States department of State.

Adnan is chairman of the Central Java Nahdlatul Ulama, a Moslem organization of over five million members, and his main pursuit is to create public policy. He is a lecturer in the department of international politics and has an extensive background in academic research concerning public policy and political science.

In his remarks, Adnan emphasized tolerance and the importance of living together in harmony, commenting that Islam promoted human brotherhood without discrimination. "It is all about tolerance and harmony between religions, more through actions than words," he concluded.

Adnan was welcomed by Dr. John Graz, director of the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty department of the Adventist Church, and secretary-general of the IRLA.

Attorney Mitchell Tyner spoke on the US constitution and religious issues, and attorney James Standish on post 9/11 issues in the US and the situation for religious minorities.

Angel Manuel Rodriguez, director of the Adventist Church's Biblical Research Institute responded to a question regarding Moslems in the US, noting that before 9/11 their visibility was low. "9/11 changed all that," he observed, "and the most important element is that now Moslems and Christians see each other as neighbors and there is a willingness to talk to each other, meeting and praying together." [Jonathan Gallagher]

Adventists Leaders attend Baptist World Alliance World Assembly

Baptist World Assembly, Birmingham, England

Adventists Leaders attended the Baptist World Alliance World Assembly in Birmingham, UK, July 27 to 31, 2005.

Dr. Eugene Hsu and Dr. John Graz represented the Seventh-day Adventists at the Baptist World Alliance World Assembly and were introduced with other leaders of the Christian World Communions on Thursday evening before 10 000 participants representing the 50 millions members of the World Baptist family. Secretary General of the Baptist World Alliance, Dr. Denton Lotz is also the President of the International Religious Liberty Association.

Indonesia Interfaith Director Visits

Ms Augustina Elga Joan Sarapung(5th from left) with guests at the Adventist Church World Headquarters

Ms. Augustina Elga Joan Sarapung, director for the Institute for Interfaith Dialogue in Indonesia, met on July 28 with leaders and staff of the International Religious Liberty Association and the Seventh-day Adventist Church, as part of a three-week study tour.

Ms. Sarapung is a religious and academic leader who is involved in several non-government organizations that are committed to achieving religous tolerance.

The objectives of the study program is to provide a historical overview of religion in the U.S., highlighting its complexity, variety and vitality; enhancing understanding of America's long-standing commitment religious pluralism and freedom; examining the role of religion in developing stable communities and fostering common political, social and economic goals; examining the constitutional underpinnings for separation of church and state; and examing the role of faith-based groups in civic and community life.

The study program is coordinated through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State. [Viola Hughes (writer and photographer)]

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