LONDON, ENGLAND - Four clerics from West Java spoke at the British Parliament Building, London, Thursday (16/11/2023) local time.

Muhammad Luthfi from the Salaful Huda Islamic Boarding School Sukabumi, Muhamad Fachrurrazi from the Darul Uluum Modern Islamic Boarding School Lido, Bogor. Then Neneng Yanti Khozanatu Lahpan from the Bandung Universal Student Islamic Boarding School, and Oki Setiana Dewi from the Maskanul Huffadz Islamic Boarding School.

These four clerics took part in dialogue and gave speeches before representatives of various religious leaders in one of the rooms in the most historic building in England.

The activity carried out by the All Faith Network organization and the Minhaj Welfare Foundation is entitled 'Interfaith Works: Living Examples'. The ulama who were taking part in the English for Ulama program series were guests of honor along with the West Java Provincial Government delegation at the Interfaith Week activities.

This dialogue activity was opened by the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society Sir Stephen Timms, also attended by the Indonesian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Desra Believe, Director Operations Minhaj Welfare Foundation Adnan Sohail, and a number of religious figures.

On this occasion, English for Ulama program participant Neneng Yanti Khozanatu Lahpan also gave a speech about ethnic and religious diversity in Indonesia, especially West Java.

Also regarding religious harmony in the country and province with the largest Muslim population in the world. Neneng explained that in the English for Ulama program, he and other ulama had a mission to share experiences about religious life in Indonesia, especially in West Java.

"We want to participate in spreading the message of peaceful Islam in Indonesia to the wider community. We are learning how interfaith dialogue in England can be a model implemented in West Java," he said in front of interfaith figures.

He focused on the role of youth and women in interfaith dialogue, as well as the challenges and opportunities in West Java, Indonesia.

Interfaith dialogue is vital to maintaining peace and harmony in the country, especially in West Java, Indonesia's most populous province and home to various religious communities.

"Interreligious dialogue in Indonesia has different characteristics because we, as Muslims, are the majority. We have lived side by side in harmony for a long time, united as one society among various religious groups," he said.

Neneng said the influence of global and transnational ideologies had influenced religious life in Indonesia. In this situation, interfaith dialogue is very important to maintain harmony in society.

"My experience working on interfaith dialogue in West Java is very interesting. Youth have played an important role in promoting tolerance and harmony in recent years. A concrete example is the Bandung Lautan Damai (BALAD) movement which was initiated by a youth group called Jakatarub, an interfaith working network religion," he said.

"This youth-led movement organizes various interfaith dialogue events, including sports tournaments, cultural festivals, youth camps, and interfaith study groups. They have consistently worked on this issue for around 20 years," added Neneng.

Neneng said she was active with young female Islamic preachers in West Java regarding interfaith dialogue. Why are women preachers, he said, because they are leaders in their respective communities who can influence those around them.

Neneng said, the challenge for youth and female preachers in taking up the issue of interfaith dialogue is not easy. Some challenges, he said, arise from within and outside the religious community. Some people think that women only talk about women's issues and domestic problems.

Apart from that, according to Neneng, there is the challenge of increasing religious extremism which opposes interfaith dialogue. It is working on interfaith dialogue, but other groups are trying to stop it. However, this challenge continues to be faced through activities initiated by all elements of society.

Previously, the West Java ulama and the West Java Provincial Government delegation also met the Member of the United Kingdom Parliament, Fiona Bruce. They discussed the diversity and harmony of religious life in England and Indonesia.

After the meeting at the Parliament Building, the clerics and delegation visited the head office of the Minhaj Welfare Foundation. Have a relaxed dialogue with the local community, visit various facilities in the office such as mosques, funeral parlors, funeral homes, public kitchens, Islamic bookstores, and even broadcast and podcast rooms.