Indonesia has played a key role in promoting mutual understanding within Islam (between Sunni and Shia sects, and different interpretations and teachings within Sunni Islam). As such, the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs organises the Annual International Conference of Islamic Studies (AICIS), which held its most recent meeting in October 2019, with the aim to forge a common understanding on issues such as how the Islamic world should respond to growing violence and radicalisation, and how to counter growing misperceptions of Islam.
At the national level, the AICIS serves to decrease local conflicts in Indonesia by cooperating with inter-religious authorities.
At the international level, AICIS serves to position Islam as rahmatan lil’alamin (blessing for the universe) and to confront misunderstandings about the religion, inside and outside of Islam.