REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, YOGYAKARTA -- Deputy Foreign Minister AM Fachir said interfaith dialogues should be intensified to combat various conflicts that intersect closely with religious issues.

"We hope more interfaith conferences will be organized to combat extremism and radicalism," AM Fachir stated while speaking at a summit of Buddhist and Muslim leaders here on Tuesday.

He believes religion-based violence in various countries will not happen if their entire community understands and campaigns that extremism and radicalism are against religion and human values.

According to Fachir, religious leaders should take up the responsibility to educate people about extremism or radicalism.

"They should effectively convey their message to their followers," he added.

He also stated that religious leaders can prevent extremism by providing guidance that emphasized tolerance and dialogue.

"It is possible because it is taught from elementary level," Fachir remarked.

The high-level Summit of Buddhist and Muslim leaders is organized by the International Network of Engaged Buddhists, Religion for Peace International, the International Movement For A Just World, the Indonesian Ulema Council, and representative Indonesian Buddhists to formulate measures for strengthening peace between the two religions.

The event was attended by representatives of Buddhist and Muslim leaders from Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka.

The outcome of this one-day conference will be presented in a joint statement by Buddhist and Muslim leaders at Borobudur on Wednesday.

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