Young Australian Muslim Explore Islam in Indonesia

A delegation of five young Australian Muslims are in Indonesia for a bilateral exchange program aimed at strengthening links and understanding of Islam in both countries.

During the two-week Australia-Indonesia Muslim Exchange Program, Mr Kashif Bouns, Ms Laila Ibrahim, Mr Mohamed Dukuly, Ms Nur Shkembi and Mr Reuben Brand will go to Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Bandung.

The group will meet Islamic organisations, community leaders, academics and the media. Their program includes cultural and interfaith experiences such as attending Waisak celebrations at Borobudur, playing futsal with Rumah Cemara, an organisation that supports people living with HIV/AIDS, and an overnight stay at Pesantren Daar el Qolam in Banten.

The Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Greg Moriarty, said the delegation reflected the cultural diversity of Australia’s Muslim community.

“This year’s participants have family connections to Lebanon, Pakistan, the Palestinian Territories, Albania and Liberia,” the Ambassador said.

“It’s important for young Australians to gain a better understanding of the role of religion in Indonesia and have the chance to share their views about how Islam contributes to diverse, democratic and tolerant societies like Australia and Indonesia,” he said.

Ms Ibrahim, from Sydney, said she had enjoyed her time in Indonesia so far: “It is an amazing experience for me to see how warm and generous Indonesians are and it is very rewarding to learn about Islam at a pesantren here,” Ms Ibrahim said.

Ten Indonesian Muslim delegates will also make reciprocal visits to Australia as part of Muslim Exchange Program. One group of Indonesians visited Australia in April. The second group will depart for Australia at the end of May.

The Muslim Exchange Program was established in 2002 by the Australia-Indonesia Institute and is organised in partnership with Paramadina University. The Institute, which supports friendship and promotes understanding between Australians and Indonesians through projects in interfaith, education, youth, civil society, media, sport and the arts, is this year celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Media Enquiries:
Vicki Miller, Cultural Attache, tel. 2550 5260, mob. 0811 959 0304