Jakarta, wahidinstitute.org
The WAHID Institute plans to hold a workshop titled Struggling with Islamic Law, International Law, and the Indonesian Constitution over Freedom of Religion and Belief over four days in Bali, Wednesday-Saturday (27-30/08/2008).

This workshop will be attended by the head of the National Committee on Human Rights, Ifdhal Kasim, who will speak to the theme A Critical Review of National and International Human Rights Instruments concerning Freedom of Religion and Belief. Head of the NU Board, KH Masdar F Mas’udi will speak on The Problematics of Religious Freedom in Islam. And the Director of Research at the WAHID Institute, Rumadi, will address Religious Blasphemy in Practice: A Review of International Reports on Religious Freedom in Indonesia.

Other participants will include DR Abdul Kadir Ahmad (Makassar), DR KH Mustain Syafii (East Java), Mujiburrahman, PhD (South Kalimantan), Prof KH A Malik Madani, MA (Jogjakarta), KH Ubaidillah Shadaqah (Central Java), TGH Subki Sasaki (Lombok), Wawan Mulyono (PWNU Bali), Zulfiah BTh (Fatayat Palu Central Sulawesi), Fery (Lakpesdam Palu Central Sulawesi), and Ghazali Rahman (Central Kalimantan).

This workshop is aimed at: first, thoroughly examination of the issues surrounding Islamic law (syari’ah), international human rights laws and the Indonesian constitution, in relation to the freedom of religion and belief. Second, uniting the perceptions of groups who support, and those who oppose, religious freedom. And Third, finding reinforcement at the level of discourse and practice.