06/12/2022 Indonesia (International Christian Concern) – A Catholic lay group based in Rome and Indonesia’s largest moderate Islamic organization have signed a deal to continue working together to promote interfaith peace and carry out humanitarian work in Indonesia.

On June 9, The Community of Sant’Egidio and Nahdlatul Ulama inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to formalize a long-standing collaboration between the two groups on issues such as interreligious dialogue, humanitarian work, and the promotion of peace.

UCA News reports that the leaders of the two institutions, Marco Impagliazzo and Yahya Cholil Staquf, agreed to increase and strengthen collaboration between both organizations in Indonesia.

“The MoU is a five-year commitment that should make it easier for the community to conduct its activities in Indonesia,” Eveline Winarko, a coordinator of the community in Indonesia, confirmed.

According to Sant’Egidio’s website, the Community is a global Christian movement of volunteer communities focused on service to the poor, peace-building, and prayer. Sant’Egidio serves those who are most in need – the homeless, at-risk children, the elderly, and prisoners.

In 2018, Sant’Egidio received an award from the Indonesian Ministry of Culture for the promotion of peace and dialogue between religions. The Community advocates for a harmonious society through the Schools of Peace and among youngsters with Muslim organizations’ partnership.

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