Obama calls Indonesia a model of 'tolerance'

BEIJING, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- In meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo for the first time on Monday, U.S. President Barack Obama referred to Indonesia as a model for other Muslim nations.

Obama and Widodo discussed security issues, among others, in a bilateral meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Beijing, and afterward Obama praised Indonesia's recent policies.

Indonesia is the world's fourth-most populous country and is heavily Muslim, although it features a high degree of ethnic and religious tolerance.

In his remarks after the meeting, Obama referred to Indonesia "a thriving democracy and a model for the kind of tolerance and pluralism that we want to see all around the world."

"As one of the world's largest democracies and also as one of the world's largest Islamic populations, Indonesia has played an extraordinary role in promoting pluralism and respect for religious diversity. And I want to thank Indonesia in the work that it's done to isolate extremism and to work with other countries around counterterrorism efforts."

Widodo, who was inaugurated in October, responded:

"Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world and has just conducted its presidential election, a cause for the democratic celebration in our country, and it shows that Islam and democracy can go forward."