Natsir's thoughts still relevant today, seminar told<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Although Mohammad Natsir passed away in February
\nof last year, the fruits of his thought are still alive and
\nrelevant for Indonesians today.<\/p>\n
The scholar's views regarding Islam and nationalism were
\ndiscussed in a seminar on Natsir's Thought and Struggle, held on
\nSaturday and Sunday by the Youth Islamic Study Club Al Azhar.<\/p>\n
Natsir's political career led him to become prime minister of
\nIndonesia and also minister of information. He also chaired the
\nMasyumi, a leading Islamic party of the 1950s. After retiring
\nfrom public office, he devoted his life to his religion.<\/p>\n
Twelve speakers presented their views, analysis and criticisms
\non Natsir's thought and struggle during the course of his life.
\nAmong the presenters are Anwar Harjono, Nurcholis Madjid, Taufik
\nAbdullah, Ichlasul Amal and Yusril Ihza Mahendra.<\/p>\n
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the ruling
\nUnited Malay National Organization (UMNO) Anwar Ibrahim, who used
\nto study with Natsir, was scheduled to give a presentation but
\nwas unable to attend.<\/p>\n
Anwar Harjono, Natsir's successor at Dewan Dakwah Islam
\nIndonesia (Indonesian Islam Dakwa Council or DDII), contended
\nthat Natsir had never seen any problem between Islam and
\nnationalism.<\/p>\n
He quoted Natsir as saying that \"We can become devoted
\nMoslems, who are at the same time happy to sing Indonesia Tanah
\nAirku (Indonesia Is My Fatherland).\"<\/p>\n
Natsir viewed that it is not necessary for a Moslem to shed
\nhis cultural and nationalist traits because the Holy Koran says
\nthat Allah has made human being into nations and tribes.<\/p>\n
Historian Taufik Abdullah recalls that Natsir viewed
\nnationalism as something given, and therefore Islamic state is
\nnot a must. \"What was more important for Natsir is a nation which
\ncould give freedom for its citizens to implement the rules of
\ntheir religions.\"<\/p>\n
Religious culture<\/p>\n
Ichlasul Amal, of Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University,
\nsaid nationalism should not undermine religious culture of Islam.<\/p>\n
It is more important to keep religious culture in the correct
\ncontext because if it applied out of proportion, it could lead to
\nfundamentalism.<\/p>\n
Also, if nationalism is treated excessively by pushing unity
\nas the main target, then it will lead to chauvinism. And if
\nnationalism is considered to paramount to everything else, it
\nwill become a new religion which will lead to primordialism,
\nIchlasul Amal said.<\/p>\n
Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher in his written
\nspeech said that, as a politician, Natsir was a Moslem
\nnationalist who saw no contradiction between Pancasila and Islam
\n-- even though Natsir used to bring up the principles of an
\nIslamic state before the National Constituent Assembly in 1956.<\/p>\n
\"His support for Pancasila can be seen from his efforts to
\nexplain Pancasila to international communities,\" said Tarmizi. In
\n1950, for example, Natsir spoke in Karachi, Pakistan, on
\nPancasila, the first speech made by an Indonesian leader abroad
\non the state ideology.<\/p>\n
Noted Islamic reformer Nurcholis Madjid said that in Natsir's
\nargument, Pancasila is below Islam because the religion could
\naccommodate other ideologies.<\/p>\n
\"Moslems could accept Pancasila as their ideology as it is in
\nline with Islam. However, if Pancasila wants to survive here
\nforever, it must be flexible. \"It is impossible for an ideology
\nto accommodate changes if it is not open to change,\" Nurcholis
\nargued. (11)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/natsirs-thoughts-still-relevant-today-seminar-told-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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