Challenge of political Islam

Challenge of political Islam

Challenge of political Islam in
world's most populous Muslim nation

Amy Chew
New Straits Times
Kuala Lumpur

Indonesia's former President Abdurrahman Wahid may have failed
in his attempt to stand for elections but the ulama remains an
influential figure as the country's presidential candidates seek
his support in their bid for power.

On Tuesday, a large crowd of journalists camped outside his
home as presidential hopeful, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, held a
45-minute meeting with him. Susilo emerged the front-runner in
July 5 presidential elections and will face incumbent Megawati
Soekarnoputri in the run-off on Sept. 20. After the meeting,
Abdurrahman, affectionately known as Gus Dur, said that he gave
Susilo his advice but not his support.

Gus Dur, who headed the country's largest Muslim organization,
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), which claims 40 million followers, for 15
years before stepping down to become president in 1999, expressed
concern over the use of religion to grab power.

He says the politicization of Islam in the world's most
populous Muslim nation was a dangerous development with the
potential to stir unrest and threaten the country's unity and
plurality. "I told Susilo that the root of the unrest now is
those people who use religion ...the first thing to do is to
depoliticize religion, that's the only way, but it's hard work.

We have to depoliticize because if it goes too far, it is
impossible to stop," said Gus Dur, adding that Susilo shared his
view. "He (Susilo) said to me he felt the most dangerous thing is
sectarianism," said Gus Dur.

NU claims 40 million followers and is seen as the face of
moderate Islam in Indonesia. Gus Dur remains a revered figure in
NU until today and is renowned for his inclusive brand of Islam
which stresses plurality and tolerance.

During the first round of elections, which saw five
candidates, the top three places were won by nationalist figures
such as Susilo, Megawati and former armed forces chief Wiranto.
The last two places were occupied by candidates often seen as
Islamist figures -- Amien Rais, the speaker of the highest law-
making body, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and Vice-
President Hamzah Haz.

Both candidates have expressed support to establish syariah in
the country at some point. According to Gus Dur, Amien's and
Haz's failure at the polls was viewed as a defeat at the hands of
non-Muslims despite the fact the top three candidates are all
Muslim and have performed the haj. "Now those people with
religious fervor think they (Rais and Haz) are defeated by non-
Muslims, that's crazy," said Gus Dur to illustrate his point.
Some of Amien's supporters have come out to say they will abstain
from voting in the run-off.

Gus Dur also pointed to a prominent local Muslim activist --
who constantly appeared in public to declare events or issues, as
halal or haram -- as a dangerous development as it served to
deepen divisions and polarize society. "I describe such people as
political people using religion to grab power. It's not about
establishing syariah in the country. They don't even know
anything about syariah" said Gus Dur, thumping his walking stick.

Despite being left half-blind by three strokes, Gus Dur still
travels to the provinces almost on a daily basis to meet with the
people as he has done throughout his working life -- a feat which
binds him in the hearts of the rural people who form the backbone
of the nation. "For me, I play my part as 'community man'. I go
round the country giving speeches. I tell the people to be
tolerant of others, to be open-minded and not to rush to
conclusions," he said.

Asked whether Susilo or Megawati would be able to defuse the
situation, he said: "No. Because they lack the courage to do
that." Indonesia also faces a huge challenge in holding the
country together as the lack of leadership in the central
government in the sprawling archipelago could fuel separatism.
"You see, the inability to govern will cause the provinces to
think that there is no use in being part of Indonesia and it is
better for them to go by themselves," said Gus Dur.

The country faces an armed separatist insurgency in Aceh which
has tied down more than 30,000 troops and scarce financial
resources. A low-level insurgency also simmers in the resource-
rich province of Papua. Analysts fear a disintegration of
Indonesia will destabilize the rest of the region and send an
exodus of people to seek refuge in neighboring countries like
Malaysia and Singapore.

When Indonesia imposed a military operation in Aceh last year,
hundreds of Acehnese fled to Malaysia to escape fighting between
government troops and separatist rebels.

Indonesia's greatest hope lies with the people's faith in
plurality and living together as a big nation. "Indonesians
stress multiplicity, plurality. Those things we have to protect.
The hope of Indonesia is to stay together to become a big state,
a strong community."