JAKARTA, Indonesia : Dr Zacharia Mar Aprem, Diocese Metropolitan of Adoor, will represent Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Syrian Church at the 3-day conference on Asia Conference of Muslim Christian Religious Leaders in Jakarta, Indonesia from February 26-28, 2013.

The Conference is one of the joint initiatives of CCA and FABC (Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences) which has been warmly welcomed by Muslim friends in Indonesia.

FABC and CCA has invited Muslim leaders to jointly initiate the Conference of Muslim and Christian Religious Leaders to address the common concerns in Asia today, particularly to bring “A Common Word” to Common Action for Peace and Justice in Asia and around the world.

Rev Dr Henriette Hutabarat-Lebang, General Secretary, Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), played a key role towards having a participation of an Indian Orthodox bishop at the conference. The theme will be on “Bringing ‘A Common Word’ to Common Action for Justice in Asia”. The conference will prove that there is a will and commitment for common concerns and that the religious leaders can work together.

The conference will be hosted by a joint committee of Indonesia Muslim, Catholic and Protestant organisations, with the support of regional and international partners (such as ICIS, FABC, CCA, KWI, and PGI).

Dr Zacharia Mar Aprem will have a participatory role in the conference and arrives in Jakarta on February 25

Participants are expected to come from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong China SAR, Myanmar, South Korea, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Brunei, especially where Muslims and Christians leaders are expected to play crucial roles in promoting peace and justice in the life of the community. Invitations have also being extended to Catholic and Muslim representatives from India, who are identified by related organisations (Catholic/FABC and Muslim).

One of the main objectives of the conference will be to share in a respectful manner the diverse ways Love of God and Love of Neighbour that are practiced by Muslims, Catholics and Protestants in Asia, and also to promote deeper personal friendships among religious leaders of Asia.

Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of Indonesia, is expected to deliver the opening speech at the conference on February 26 while Dr Ali Ashgar Engineer from Institute of Islamic Studies and Center for Study of Society and Secularism, will speak at the plenary session on the Role of Religion in Promoting Justice and Peace in Asia.

The attendees will also visit Cathedral Church, Istiqlal Mosque and other spots in Jakarta and The Acacia Hotel, Central will host the conference.