'We want to promote' dialog on Islam in the West

'We want to promote' dialog on Islam in the West

Delegates from over 40 countries have confirmed their involvement
in the four-day conference of Muslim scholars and leaders
organized by Indonesia's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul
Ulama (NU) in Jakarta beginning on Tuesday. The Jakarta Post's
Tiarma Siboro and Kanis Dursin interviewed NU chairman Hasyim
Muzadi over the weekend about his motivation and expectations of
the conference. The following are excerpts:

Question: What prompted you to organize this conference?
Answer: The idea came up after NU and other religious and
political as well as some people in the government met to discuss
various conflicts that have religious underpinnings. They are
conflicts of interest that exploit religious themes or conflicts
of interest affecting areas of certain religious followers that
make them feel that they are not being treated fairly and so
local leaders exploit religious sentiment to fight back.

Another factor is unnecessary misunderstandings from people in
the West toward Islam and vice-versa. If such problems persist,
no one will benefit. Muslim communities will perish, especially
Islamic countries, because of attacks, blockades or embargoes.
The United States will also lose in the court of world opinion
even if it does not attack any country.

Thirdly, by abandoning international ethics stipulated in the
United Nations Charter, the world will experience chaos ...

We, NU leaders, discussed the idea with Islamic figures in the
Middle East, including the moderate ones like the Rector of Al
Azhar University in Cairo Syaiful Azhar and hardliners in Libya.

We will also hold discussions with Islamic figures in the
West, including Canada, Britain, Australia and the U.S. We came
to the same conclusion that the world community does not want the
conflicts, but the leaders of certain countries apparently do.
This is evident in anti-Iraq protests in Britain, the U.S., and
Australia. The protests mean there is a gap between the actions
of their leaders and the conscience of the people of the world.
What are the main goals of the conference?

Reducing world tension, improving the way Muslims think
worldwide, reducing suspicions in the West toward Muslims, and
then helping Muslim communities in the field of education, mass
media and the economy.
How can you help the West understand Islam?

We want to encourage dialog in the West about Islam and what
they want from us. We are inviting ulema, Muslim scholars and
leaders of Islamic universities, including some in the West that
have Islamic studies. We want to keep the meeting free of various
political and economic interests which can cause deep divides.

We will talk about religion only; the first goal will be to
place religion as a way of life, religion as a teaching, and not
a movement mired with conflicts. We will discuss how religion can
become a solid ground for unity, peace, prosperity and justice
and so on. We will try to get to the roots of how a religion can
become a source of conflict. There are likely some vested
interests ... Islamic experts, not others, should work to return
Islam to its origin. The response has been overwhelming. At least
43 countries will be represented.
Are there prominent Islamic politicians attending the conference?

We are not inviting politicians and officials so that
discussions on Islam cannot be linked to pragmatic political
interests. We have invited Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah
Badawi, but only in his capacity as chairman of the Organization
of Islamic Conference (OIC), not as a head of state.

Every time OIC holds a meeting they never agree ... those
present are prime ministers, foreign ministers or even oil
ministers, so when they talk about Islam they are already co-
opted by practical interests.
What issues will be discussed during the conference?

There are four main subjects. The first is a declaration,
after we all share ideas. The second is about education, the
third economy, and the last is about mass media. The last three
areas are the main weaknesses of Muslim communities and have to
be dealt with. Even then, we will not be that strict, meaning not
exclusive. The World Bank and world economic experts may come to
talk about economic issues.
Do the participants have the ear of their leaders?

At least we can start promoting a moral force and I expect
that influential religious figures can do so because we invite
leaders who have strong followings. But we must emphasize that
hardline militancy is caused by various factors, including
misunderstandings about religious tenets, lack of education and
also problems with justice. Injustice directed at Muslims will
force them to fight back by using Islamic symbols. The situation
will be the same if Christians were facing pressure. Hardline
militancy is not merely a monopoly of Muslims.

Furthermore, we are now trying to curb terrorism. We see that
problems in the Middle East have not been resolved even after the
U.S.-led invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. Many terrorists may
have fled and developed networks in other countries considered to
be friendly to them. New problems have come when the West accuses
those countries as part of world terrorist network.

Indonesia is in just such a dilemma and we can only solve it
by religious piety and security. We cannot do anything to defend
guilty people in the name of certain religion
What can NU propose to resolve world conflicts?

First, Muslims have to accept Islam as a religion, which
promotes peace. Second, the West should not so readily accuse
Islam for being the reason for the world's problems. Third, we
urge religious figures worldwide to use their moral authority in
their countries to bridge policies of the states and demand the
world's communities.