Indonesian Sunni-Syiah Council established

A gathering called the Indonesia Sunni and Syiah Council (MUHSIN) was declared Friday in Jakarta by the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI) representing the Sunni and the Indonesian Ahlul Bait Followers (IJABI) representing Syi’ah.

“This council is the first in the world,” IJABI chair Jalaluddin Rahmat said, as quoted by Antara news agency.

The council aims to hold gatherings, dialogues and social activities, and not to attempt to mix the two teachings, he said.

The declaration of MUHSIN's establishment was attended by Iranian Ambassador to Indonesia Mahmoud Farazandeh.

Daud Poliradja from the DMI said the council’s establishment was prompted by violence committed in the name of religion.

One of the five points of MUHSIN's declaration called for “The burying of animosity and separatism among the believers”.