The Jakarta Post:
By James Ross, New York
It’s not every day that a world leader whose country frequently makes the news for sectarian violence wins a religious freedom award.
But on May 30, the Appeal of Conscience Foundation in New York City will honor Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono with its World Statesman Award, given annually to an individual who supports “religious freedom and human rights throughout the world” and “promotes peace, tolerance and ethnic conflict resolution”.
In light of the deteriorating situation facing religious minorities in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, news of the award came as a surprise. But in accepting the accolades, President Yudhoyono has an opportunity to transform an event likely to cast a harsh spotlight on Indonesia into a genuinely positive occasion.
To do that, here is the award speech Yudhoyono should give:
“Members of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, distinguished guests, citizens of Indonesia and citizens of the world:
Those who should be ashamed of their mistake are of course the organizers of this award.