Indonesian President urges Islamic groups to continue their brand of moderate Islam

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Tuesday 04 Aug 2015 - 09:28 Makkah mean time-19-10-1436 (Image from heraldsun) Jakarta, (IINA) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo has urged the country's two biggest Islamic groups to continue their brand of moderate Islam, amid growing religious intolerance and radicalism, Channel NewsAsia reported. President Widodo, who spoke at the opening of the congresses of the two groups, also paid tribute to their contributions in alleviating poverty. Muhammadiyah, Indonesia's second largest Islamic organization opened its 47th congress in Makassar, South Sulawesi on Monday. It chose the theme of "Progressive Islam" for the congress- its vision of a modern and moderate Islam. During the opening, the president encouraged members to embrace diversity and practice an Islam for all. “Make Progressive Islam part of the renewal process, where you understand a religion which is rational and open to the development of knowledge,” he said. “But make it with a moderate character that is civilized and not easily angered.” The president also attended the opening of the Nahdlatul Ulama congress in Jombang, East Java, last Saturday. The group also advocates moderate Islam, making Islam Nusantara or "Islam of the archipelago" central to its congress. SM/IINA