Kalla calls for religious tolerance among countries

Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI) chairman Jusuf Kalla has called for religious leaders worldwide to promote tolerance and peace among followers in order to prevent terrorism carried out in the name of religion.

Kalla made the call on Monday in response to a bombing at Ekayana Buddhist temple in West Jakarta on Sunday night, which was believed to be carried out in retaliation for the oppression of Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims.

"I strongly encourage adherents in both countries [Indonesia and Myanmar] to calm down and not respond to it [the attack]," Kalla told reporters at DIM's headquarters in Central Jakarta.

'Violence is contagious, thus all of us should do our best to prevent it from becoming widespread," he added.

Kalla, who recently led a humanitarian mission to Myanmar, ensured that things had improved in Myanmar over the past couple of months amid ongoing efforts to promote peace there.

"We, as well as many other groups, continue with efforts to bring peace there, including by strongly urging the Myanmar administration to end violence [against the minority Rohingya]," Kalla said.

"Thus, calm down and resist provocation," he emphasized.