S. Korean ambassador visits NU, wants to know about Islam

Jakarta, NU Online
In addition to Indian Ambassador Gurjit Singh, the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Tuesday (4/6) also received a visit from South Korean Ambassador Kim Young-sun at the NU headquarters, Jln. Kramat Raya 164, Central Jakarta.<>

Kim Young-sun and his entourage were welcomed by General Chairman of NU KH Said Aqil Siroj (Kang Said), Treasurer of NU H Bina Suhendra NU, and some foreign affairs cooperation staff.

"The Korean ambassador has visited NU for the first time. He wants to know about NU in particular, and Indonesian Islam in general. He asked, why the majority of Muslims in Indonesia could peacfully coexist with non-Muslims," Kang Said told NU Online here on Tuesday.

He told Kim Young-sun, that the character of the Indonesian nation since the beginning has indeed respected all faiths and beliefs. The character has till now been developed by NU with such principles as tasamuh or tolerance.

"I explained all, why Indonesian Islam can co-exist with non-Muslims. Yes, although there have been still some cases, when compared to the Middle East, Indonesia is still better," Kang Said said.

The two parties could establish a familiar atmosphere and full of laughter, especially when Kim Young-sun was asked about the Korean Ginseng.

In the visit, The Korean ambassador offered to cooperate with NU in terms of the establishment of hospitals in Indonesia. The ambassador also invited specifically NU to come to the embassy and visit the country ginseng.

Reporting by A. Khoirul Anam; Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq