BMF in "World Beyond War Forum"

BMF's Interim Secretary, Vidyananda (KV Soon) share his views and ideas and supported a recently forum in seminar entitled "World Beyond War: The Rohingya Refugee Crisis and its Implications on Security in the ASEAN Region".  He stressed the need for spiritual communities to play a role in bringing peace and to develop new ideas for greater inclusive and positive engagement amongst the different communities, especially the communities experiencing conflicts in Myanmar and in the ASEAN Region. 

Here is a report of the Forum, reproduced from The International Movement for a Just World :

The International Movement for a Just World (JUST) successfully organized an important seminar on, "World Beyond War: The Rohingya Refugee Crisis and its Implications on Security in the ASEAN Region. Held on the 24th of September 2016 at the Institut Integriti Malaysia (IIM), the event was a part of the larger weekend-wide conference opposing global war and militarism taking place in Washington, DC. That "World Beyond War" conference included leading public intellectuals, activists, and community leaders from the US and throughout the world addressing the array of crises being produced by the political decisions of the powerful. 

Buddhist-Muslim Forum urge ASEAN Ministers to have Inter-Faith Dialogue to defeat Religious Extremism

PRESS RELEASE – 30 Sept 2015

Buddhist-Muslim Forum urge ASEAN Ministers to have Inter-Faith Dialogue to defeat Religious Extremism

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 September ; THE INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON BUDDHIST-MUSLIM RELATIONS (BMF) is making a clarion call to Asean Ministers to take proactive measures to stop, prevent and avoid extremism and radicalism in the name of religion.

Several recent conflicts have flared up in the region, most notably affecting the Rohingiyas and other ethnic minority communities in Myanmar, as well as the inter-ethnic friction in southern Thailand.

Some of these conflicts have spilled over into other ASEAN countries including Indonesia and Malaysia.

The Forum urges the ASEAN Ministers to strengthen Inter Faith relations and not allow the use of religion to cause dissent among the communities in Asean.

YOGYAKARTA STATEMENT - Shared Values and Commitments

A HIGH-LEVEL SUMMIT OF BUDDHIST AND MUSLIM LEADERS

Overcoming Extremism and Advancing Peace with Justice

March 3-4, 2015 

Yogyakarta and Borobudur Temple

Indonesia ​

hosted by 

Indonesian Buddhist Association (WALUBI) &

Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI)

organized by 

 International Forum on Buddhist-Muslim Relations (BMF) 

(Core Group: International Network of Engaged Buddhists, 

International Movement for a Just World, Muhammadiyah & Religions for Peace)

FINAL STATEMENT: Shared Values and Commitments   

We, Buddhist and Muslim leaders, recognize that our followers have developed together a harmonious relationship, which has become the foundation for building peace and prosperity in many parts of the world. Buddhism and Islam share in their respective scriptures and other canonical texts the importance of holistic and positive peace, which encompasses the notions of inner peace, peace among humans, and peace with nature.

Buddhist Muslim Summit 2015

Details to follow

BMF Core Members Meeting, Jakarta (Aug 12-13, 2014)

Just completed a two-day Core Members meeting of the International Forum for Buddhist-Muslim Relations (BMF) in Jakarta. Very good discussions including visits to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Indonesian Ambassador to ASEAN. The meetings ended with a lively youth forum. 

Among the key initiatives in the coming months will be an international conference on Buddhist-Muslim relations which is planned to be held in April 2015 in Jakarta. Also in the works are several youth initiatives and exchange programs. More details to follow.

Our thanks and deep appreciation to  the Center for Dialogue and Cooperations between Civilizations (CDCC) for hosting the meetings. Thank you to all Core Members and supporting organizations too.

Meeting in progress 

Meeting with HE Rahmat Pramono, Ambassador / Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to ASEAN.

Meeting with Ms Esti Andayani, Director General for information and Public Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia.