'We want to promote' dialog on Islam in the West<\/p>\n
Delegates from over 40 countries have confirmed their involvement
\nin the four-day conference of Muslim scholars and leaders
\norganized by Indonesia's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul
\nUlama (NU) in Jakarta beginning on Tuesday. The Jakarta Post's
\nTiarma Siboro and Kanis Dursin interviewed NU chairman Hasyim
\nMuzadi over the weekend about his motivation and expectations of
\nthe conference. The following are excerpts:<\/p>\n
Question: What prompted you to organize this conference?
\nAnswer: The idea came up after NU and other religious and
\npolitical as well as some people in the government met to discuss
\nvarious conflicts that have religious underpinnings. They are
\nconflicts of interest that exploit religious themes or conflicts
\nof interest affecting areas of certain religious followers that
\nmake them feel that they are not being treated fairly and so
\nlocal leaders exploit religious sentiment to fight back.<\/p>\n
Another factor is unnecessary misunderstandings from people in
\nthe West toward Islam and vice-versa. If such problems persist,
\nno one will benefit. Muslim communities will perish, especially
\nIslamic countries, because of attacks, blockades or embargoes.
\nThe United States will also lose in the court of world opinion
\neven if it does not attack any country.<\/p>\n
Thirdly, by abandoning international ethics stipulated in the
\nUnited Nations Charter, the world will experience chaos ...<\/p>\n
We, NU leaders, discussed the idea with Islamic figures in the
\nMiddle East, including the moderate ones like the Rector of Al
\nAzhar University in Cairo Syaiful Azhar and hardliners in Libya.<\/p>\n
We will also hold discussions with Islamic figures in the
\nWest, including Canada, Britain, Australia and the U.S. We came
\nto the same conclusion that the world community does not want the
\nconflicts, but the leaders of certain countries apparently do.
\nThis is evident in anti-Iraq protests in Britain, the U.S., and
\nAustralia. The protests mean there is a gap between the actions
\nof their leaders and the conscience of the people of the world.
\nWhat are the main goals of the conference?<\/p>\n
Reducing world tension, improving the way Muslims think
\nworldwide, reducing suspicions in the West toward Muslims, and
\nthen helping Muslim communities in the field of education, mass
\nmedia and the economy.
\nHow can you help the West understand Islam?<\/p>\n
We want to encourage dialog in the West about Islam and what
\nthey want from us. We are inviting ulema, Muslim scholars and
\nleaders of Islamic universities, including some in the West that
\nhave Islamic studies. We want to keep the meeting free of various
\npolitical and economic interests which can cause deep divides.<\/p>\n
We will talk about religion only; the first goal will be to
\nplace religion as a way of life, religion as a teaching, and not
\na movement mired with conflicts. We will discuss how religion can
\nbecome a solid ground for unity, peace, prosperity and justice
\nand so on. We will try to get to the roots of how a religion can
\nbecome a source of conflict. There are likely some vested
\ninterests ... Islamic experts, not others, should work to return
\nIslam to its origin. The response has been overwhelming. At least
\n43 countries will be represented.
\nAre there prominent Islamic politicians attending the conference?<\/p>\n
We are not inviting politicians and officials so that
\ndiscussions on Islam cannot be linked to pragmatic political
\ninterests. We have invited Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah
\nBadawi, but only in his capacity as chairman of the Organization
\nof Islamic Conference (OIC), not as a head of state.<\/p>\n
Every time OIC holds a meeting they never agree ... those
\npresent are prime ministers, foreign ministers or even oil
\nministers, so when they talk about Islam they are already co-
\nopted by practical interests.
\nWhat issues will be discussed during the conference?<\/p>\n
There are four main subjects. The first is a declaration,
\nafter we all share ideas. The second is about education, the
\nthird economy, and the last is about mass media. The last three
\nareas are the main weaknesses of Muslim communities and have to
\nbe dealt with. Even then, we will not be that strict, meaning not
\nexclusive. The World Bank and world economic experts may come to
\ntalk about economic issues.
\nDo the participants have the ear of their leaders?<\/p>\n
At least we can start promoting a moral force and I expect
\nthat influential religious figures can do so because we invite
\nleaders who have strong followings. But we must emphasize that
\nhardline militancy is caused by various factors, including
\nmisunderstandings about religious tenets, lack of education and
\nalso problems with justice. Injustice directed at Muslims will
\nforce them to fight back by using Islamic symbols. The situation
\nwill be the same if Christians were facing pressure. Hardline
\nmilitancy is not merely a monopoly of Muslims.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, we are now trying to curb terrorism. We see that
\nproblems in the Middle East have not been resolved even after the
\nU.S.-led invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. Many terrorists may
\nhave fled and developed networks in other countries considered to
\nbe friendly to them. New problems have come when the West accuses
\nthose countries as part of world terrorist network.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is in just such a dilemma and we can only solve it
\nby religious piety and security. We cannot do anything to defend
\nguilty people in the name of certain religion
\nWhat can NU propose to resolve world conflicts?<\/p>\n
First, Muslims have to accept Islam as a religion, which
\npromotes peace. Second, the West should not so readily accuse
\nIslam for being the reason for the world's problems. Third, we
\nurge religious figures worldwide to use their moral authority in
\ntheir countries to bridge policies of the states and demand the
\nworld's communities.<\/p>",
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