President of Timor-Leste Deliver His Speech at UIN Jakarta

Main Auditorium, UIN News Online – On the sidelines of his state visit, the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste H.E. José Ramos-Horta, visited the UIN Jakarta campus to deliver a public lecture in front of the academic community at the Main Auditorium, Wednesday (07/20/2022).

His arrival to UIN Jakarta was directly received by the Rector of UIN Jakarta Amany Lubis, Vice Rectors, and Faculty Deans. In addition, this event also attended by students from various faculties.

In a public lecture titled “Culture, Language, and Nation Building”, President Ramos-Horta shared his experiences in the socio-economic development of his country. In addition, he also expressed his country's desire to join the Southeast Asian regional and global partnership.

As a relatively young country, he explained, Timor Leste is trying to build various important and vital sectors for its people, such as education, economy, and health. To make it happen, he stated the importance of establishing partnerships with neighboring countries.

“The partnership with the government and the people of Indonesia is one of the most important partnerships for the government and the people of Timor Leste,” said Horta.

In addition, he continued, Timor Leste also encourages social development by encouraging tolerance between its diverse people. In addition to the Catholic majority, the people of this country also adhere to Islam, Protestantism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and local religious beliefs.

“Timor Leste is the first country that adopted the Human Fraternity Document, a document promoting peace and harmony between Christians and Muslims that has been endorsed by both Pope Francis and Ahmed el-Tayyeb, the grand imam of Al-Azhar,” he said.

According to Horta, religious teachings invite their followers to upholds the values of peace,  “Freedom is the right of every human being. Religious coercion is something that is not justified by any religious teachings,” he said.

He also added that various efforts are made, such as dialogue about understanding, tolerance for culture and religion. In this way, religion can contribute greatly to the reduction of economic, social, and political problems in social life. "Various efforts such as dialogue about understanding, tolerance for culture and religion must be carried out. In this way, religion can contribute greatly to the reduction of economic, social, and political problems in social life," he said.

Furthermore, President Ramos-Horta hopes that a closer partnership will be established between the government and its people with the Indonesian government. He hopes that universities in Indonesia will play an active role in realizing partnerships in the education sector.

On the same occasion, Rector of UIN Jakarta Amany Lubis expressed her appreciation for the visit made by President Ramos-Horta .

“He is a leader who fights for his people as well as one of the leaders of the country who is committed to building peace regardless of differences, especially religious differences," said Rector Amany.

Rector Amany hoped that President Ramos-Horta's visit to Indonesia, including to UIN Jakarta, would improve relations between the two countries. According to Amany, UIN Jakarta itself is an Islamic-based state educational institution that is committed to supporting human values.

“Islam teaches us to be peaceful with our neighbours and ourselves, to treat other as we wish to be treated. It teaches us to live as a community and work together to improve our society. Moreover, it teaches us that there is no room for hate and discrimination in our hearts or minds,” said Amany.

Therefore, Rector Amany also encouraged the government and people of Timor Leste to truly create a tolerant religious life. The document on Human Fraternity signed by Pope Francis and the grand Imam of Al-Azhar marks a commitment to realizing a tolerant and harmonious life. (zm/usa)