February 2020
The 7th Annual International Islam and Liberty Network’s two day conference on the Islamic Case for Religious Freedom was held in Jakarta on 11th & 12th November 2019. The Islam and Liberty Network were partnered by Fatayat Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia; International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS); Malaysia Religious Freedom Institute, USA.
About 100 participated including 25 speakers and presenters from Indonesia, Pakistan, Finland, Malaysia, Australia, Iran, Tunisia, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and the USA. Topics included the keynote speech on Freedom of Religion and Apostasy: Issues, Responses and Developments, and sessions on The Theory and Theology of Religious Freedom; Religious Freedom and Constitutional Frameworks; Religious Freedom, Harmony and Inclusion; Blasphemy Law: Issues and Challenges; Religious, Political and Economic Freedom; Inter-relationships; Non-Muslims in Muslim Majority Countries and Muslim and non-Muslim relationships.
K.H. Said Aqil Siradi, Chairman of Nahdatul Ulama, Indonesia, said that Islam embodies the meaning and concept of peace. That Islam talks about the Ummah not as separate Islamic states and systems. Ummah is a concept that encompasses civilization, pluralism, diversity and acceptance. The Prophet of Islam built Ummah on the basis of those values and principles. Islam is against terrorism and aggression. It promotes religious pluralism, human dignity and diversity.