Frenchwoman turns from reporting to studying Islam

Frenchwoman turns from reporting to studying Islam

By Kafil Yamin

BANDUNG (JP): If there is anyone with a clear view of the
interreligious conflicts in Indonesia, it is Andre Feillard, a
French historian specializing in Indonesian studies.

Her doctoral dissertation discussing the role of Nahdlatul
Ulama (NU), Indonesia's largest Muslim organization, in
Indonesian politics drew her into the inner circle of kyai
(Muslim clerics).

"Being among the kyai, we feel we are virtuous human beings. I
enjoy being with them," she said. "They prescribe to simple lines
of thinking and lead simple lives. They have a high sense of
humor."

The journalist-turned-academic has launched an Indonesian book
version of the dissertation, NU dan Negara (NU and the State),
which incorporates the latest developments of religious life in
the country.

After working as a correspondent for Agence France Presse in
Jakarta from 1972 to 1989, coupled with an academic career at Le
Havre University, Feillard's knowledge of Islam and its political
role in Indonesia dives deep down to almost every curve and nerve
of Islamic anatomy.

During a recent discussion promoting her book held at the
Bandung French Cultural Center, Feillard mentioned names of
numerous clerics and their respective views, from popular ones
like Abdurrahman Wahid, better known as Gus Dur, Nurcholish
Madjid, Wahid Hasyim, Kyai Masykur and Kahar Muzakkir to the less
well-known Zarkasih Nur and Wahab Hasbullah.

She even stated names that Indonesian Muslims themselves could
hardly recognize, those of local kyai. Amazingly, Feillard was
able to explain and distinguish each of their views. She quotes
Arabic sentences with perfect pronunciation.

Feillard is also a witty speaker on Islamic terms like zakat
(religious alms), tasawuf (escapism) and waris (inheritance law).
She quoted Imam al-Ghazali, Ibnu Taimiyah, Mohammad Abduh and
Rasyid Ridha, pillars of Islam from history.

She mentioned from memory decisive moments in Indonesian
history and explained the events around them with almost no
pauses.

"In March 29, 1954, ulemas granted Sukarno the title Waliyyul
amri dlaruri bissyaukah (legitimate ruler of state foundations).
It indicates the ulemas' favored national unity. They were
willing to pin religious legitimacy on the state rather than
seeing national disintegration. Ulemas have stuck to this stand
until now," she told The Jakarta Post.

She attributes her success in gaining her doctorate to prayers
of the kyai. On one occasion, a group of clerics in East Java
held a joint special prayer service for her successful research.
"I was really touched," she said.

"Look, I am a Catholic woman, a Westerner. They kyai) knew I
was doing my PhD dissertation. I wasn't feeling any psychological
barrier. Not only had they been so cooperative, they also gave
genuine support."

Her close relationship with clerics and pesantren (traditional
Islamic boarding school) communities started with her intensive
contact with Gus Dur, a man she holds in high regard.

"It is Gus Dur who took me to various pesantren and introduced
me to the clerics. I was so welcome because of Gus Dur," she
added.

Years of contact, long trips and discussions with the grandson
of noted ulema Hasyim Asy'ari, NU's founding father, gave her a
chance to know and understand a man who is frequently
misunderstood. She found in Gus Dur superb reasoning power,
divine wisdom and never-ending energy.

"Some years ago, I joined his trip. He visited three to four
different places that were separated by hundreds of kilometers. I
was extremely exhausted. But he appeared to remain fresh. He
still addressed some gatherings, met many people and chatted with
them," Feillard recalled.

She considered Gus Dur a splendid figure from Islam.

"He prefers to see Islam, and it is, as rahmatan lil alamiin
(blessing for the whole universe). So it should become the power
of humanity. It should cultivate and generate equality, justice
and prosperity," she said.

"Based on this grand premise, he stressed amal (practice or
content) of Islam instead of form or structure. So he is a bit
unhappy with a formal Islamic group like ICMI (Association of
Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals)."

His only "shortcoming", she said, would be the difficulty in
expressing his ideas which "need comprehensive elaboration
especially to those whose level of thinking is far below him. And
he does not have enough time for it."

She believed he was frequently misunderstood.

"Gus Dur needs a sort of mouthpiece who can explain his views
to the common people. He is so far the most misunderstood figure.
And it is not good to let him as he is."

Feillard long believed Islam in Indonesia had the potential to
become outstanding for several reasons. For one, there are high-
level intellectual discourses on the best implementation of Islam
in state affairs. It has shown a common view emphasizing the
content of Islam instead of form.

"Thanks to tireless advocacy of the practice-oriented Islam by
noted intellectuals like Nurcholish Madjid and Gus Dur, many
Muslims now would prevent any attempt of creating an Islamic
state in a multireligion and multirace country."

For another, Islam in Indonesia has reached considerable
achievements, compared to Pakistan, Iran and some Middle East
countries.

"Once, a delegation from Pakistan expressed their admiration
on a women's wing of the Muhammadiyah who enjoyed freedom and
carried out various social activities."

She related how she was a special witness to a heated debate
on female leadership between members of the Women's Association
of Nahdlatul Ulama (PWUN) with a prominent cleric.

"And Gus Dur's role in such an intellectual climate is
anything but decisive," she said.

On the present escalation of violence and rioting, she
believed the unrest was rooted more in political and economic
reasons rather than religious one.

"The cases are the explosion of long-subjugated political
expression and sense of justice that have been exploited for
political ends," she said.