“Religion and Society: A Dialogue” was the title of the two-week program in Indonesia sponsored by the US Department of State. It was attended by a delegation of six scholars and community leaders including Dr. Abubaker al Shingieti, IIIT Regional Director for Europe and North America. The program began on December 30, 2007 and ended on January 17, 2008. It was coordinated by Legacy International, a Virginia-based NGO, the Center for Civic Education in Jakarta, and the US Embassy in Indonesia. It included panel discussions on Islam and democracy, minority rights, the status of Muslims in America and Islamic education in Indonesia. Numerous meetings to address these and other issues were held with religious leaders from different faith groups beside civil society organizations, university professors, government officials and students.

                                                                                         

The US delegates included Professor Sulayman Nyang from Howard University, Dr. Marianne Farina from The Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkley, California, Dr. Racelle Weiman from the Institute for Inter-religious Intercultural Dialogue at Temple University and Milia Islam from the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). The Program was directed by Mary Helmig from Legacy International and William Ryan, Director of the Center for Civil Education in Jakarta.