Ambon, Maluku (Antara Bali) - United States Ambassador to Indonesia Robert O. Blake was in Ambon on September 4-7, 2015, to attend the 440th anniversary of Ambon city and the 80th anniversary of the Protestant Church in Maluku province (GPM).
"This is my first visit to Maluku, but I feel immense pride to be able to attend the two important events in this province. I will share my thoughts and experiences here with all the citizens of the United States," Blake remarked in Ambon on Sunday.
Blake felt highly honored to be able to celebrate Ambon city's anniversary along with the local government officials and to be able to commemorate GPM's anniversary along with all the pastors and evangelists.
He also extended his sincere gratitude to GPM Chairman Synod Reverend John Ruhulesin who had specifically invited him to attend the anniversary of GPM.
"The GPM has become a symbol of peace not only in Maluku but also in Indonesia as it has been able to establish fraternal relations with other religious communities," Blake noted.
"The contribution of GPM along with other religious leaders to realize brotherhood and peace in Maluku will certainly become the spirit and pride of everyone," he affirmed.
He remarked that the Indonesian people truly lauded diversity as the strength to grow and progress together.
The US envoy affirmed that these positive aspects will serve as a driving force for the United States government to establish cooperation with the Maluku provincial government in various fields, especially to help in the empowerment and welfare of the community.
Blake also took a few hours of his time to visit Jami grand mosque at Silale village on Monday before returning to Jakarta.
In addition to observing the condition of the mosque building, which was founded in 1860 by H. Abdul Kadir Hatala, Ambassador Blake also held a brief dialogue with the management of the mosque and Chairman of the Maluku branch of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Idrus Toekan.
Blake remarked that he utilized this opportunity to visit two different places of worship in Ambon --- Jami mosque and GPM --- to hold a dialogue with the leaders of the two religions.
The US envoy also lauded the hard work put in by the Muslims and Christians in Maluku to restore the spirit of brotherhood after a long sectarian conflict that broke out in the province between 1999 and 2001.
"Peace, which has been restored in Maluku today, is the contribution and hard work of the leaders of Islam and Christianity along with other religious leaders," Blake emphasized.
According to the ambassador, true peace in Maluku, which has been created in the shades of togetherness and brotherhood, is the most valued investment that cannot be replaced by anything.
He expressed hope that cooperation and interfaith harmony in Maluku would continue to be strengthened as a force to unite the entire community in the province.
Blake affirmed that peace and brotherhood among the people in Maluku province will now serve as a reference by various parties, including several countries, to be applied for the resolution of conflicts. (WDY)
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Bali 2015
"This is my first visit to Maluku, but I feel immense pride to be able to attend the two important events in this province. I will share my thoughts and experiences here with all the citizens of the United States," Blake remarked in Ambon on Sunday.
Blake felt highly honored to be able to celebrate Ambon city's anniversary along with the local government officials and to be able to commemorate GPM's anniversary along with all the pastors and evangelists.
He also extended his sincere gratitude to GPM Chairman Synod Reverend John Ruhulesin who had specifically invited him to attend the anniversary of GPM.
"The GPM has become a symbol of peace not only in Maluku but also in Indonesia as it has been able to establish fraternal relations with other religious communities," Blake noted.
"The contribution of GPM along with other religious leaders to realize brotherhood and peace in Maluku will certainly become the spirit and pride of everyone," he affirmed.
He remarked that the Indonesian people truly lauded diversity as the strength to grow and progress together.
The US envoy affirmed that these positive aspects will serve as a driving force for the United States government to establish cooperation with the Maluku provincial government in various fields, especially to help in the empowerment and welfare of the community.
Blake also took a few hours of his time to visit Jami grand mosque at Silale village on Monday before returning to Jakarta.
In addition to observing the condition of the mosque building, which was founded in 1860 by H. Abdul Kadir Hatala, Ambassador Blake also held a brief dialogue with the management of the mosque and Chairman of the Maluku branch of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Idrus Toekan.
Blake remarked that he utilized this opportunity to visit two different places of worship in Ambon --- Jami mosque and GPM --- to hold a dialogue with the leaders of the two religions.
The US envoy also lauded the hard work put in by the Muslims and Christians in Maluku to restore the spirit of brotherhood after a long sectarian conflict that broke out in the province between 1999 and 2001.
"Peace, which has been restored in Maluku today, is the contribution and hard work of the leaders of Islam and Christianity along with other religious leaders," Blake emphasized.
According to the ambassador, true peace in Maluku, which has been created in the shades of togetherness and brotherhood, is the most valued investment that cannot be replaced by anything.
He expressed hope that cooperation and interfaith harmony in Maluku would continue to be strengthened as a force to unite the entire community in the province.
Blake affirmed that peace and brotherhood among the people in Maluku province will now serve as a reference by various parties, including several countries, to be applied for the resolution of conflicts. (WDY)
Editor : I Gusti Bagus Widyantara
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Bali 2015