Amid worldwide outrageous reactions of Muslims against the controversial publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad, religious leaders from East Asia gathered here recently and declared the necessity of tolerance among people in the world.

One hundred fifty-nine leaders representing ten religions from 17 countries in the region decided during a two-day East Asian Religious Leaders Forum to enhance mutual understanding and respect among people of different faiths and religions to overcome prejudices, intolerance and hatred.

The leaders agreed to revitalize religions as determinant factors and prophetic mission for building peace, and to consolidate moderating and peaceful spirits of the religions to counter violence.

They insisted on improving religious education as the basis for empowering plural and multicultural communities in building peaceful, democratic and harmonious societies.

In his opening speech, Indonesian Vice President Muhammad Jusuf Kalla said if all religious teachings were well implemented, world peace would be easy to achieve.

"If we have all implemented what we pray, what we are discussing, and what are all objectives of the religions, no one can make conflicts. I think the world could be more easy with peace, more easy with welfare, and of course our people could easily reach prosperity," he said.

The vice president said that the ongoing massive protests in the Middle East and Asia against the controversial publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad were caused by the intolerance of the mass media.

A religious leader from Pakistan, Mir Nawas Khan Marwat, called on people to use religion as a weapon for peace, understanding and common living imbedded with the spirit of non-interference.

"There can be no security if we show disrespect for any religion and prophet. It will give birth to violence and strengthen the hands of extremists and terrorists," he said.

Nawas said that Islam strictly prohibits its followers to show disrespect for or ridicule any faith, and that the religion maintains that all human beings are brothers and sisters and disallows conflict with moderation and peaceful living.

All religions preach harmony, denounce any kind of antagonism and hatred, bring about reconciliation, and establish a basic concept of respect for each other, he said.

Ma Yunfu, vice president of the China Islamic Association, stressed at the forum that peace, tolerance and justice are high moral qualities in Islam. Muslims in China would like to consolidate solidarity and cooperate with other religions in the world for creating a peaceful and prosperous world.

A religious leader from South Korea, Park Kwangso, stressed the importance of extending boundary of beliefs and enhancing spirituality as master of love and compassion.

"It is necessary for religions in the East and in the West to learn from one another to creatively transform and to fruitfully nurture themselves," he said.

a religious Leader from Japan, Shaikh Amin Kimiaki Tokumasu, said all religions in the world should openly share their opinions and ideas with each other.

"Enhanced communication will contribute to the prevention of extremism. We must work together to convey our message that no religion will tolerate violence against innocent civilians," he said.

Religious leaders from 17 countries in Southeast Asia took part in the two-day meeting here since Sunday. They represented ten religions, including Islam, Christianism, Buddhism, Catholicism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Taoism, and Zoroastrianism.

The 17 countries are Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, China, Japan, Australia, South Korea, India, Pakistan, and Timor Leste.

Source: Xinhua