Jakarta, NU Online
General Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), KH. Said Aqil Siroj, popularly known as Kang Said, has expressed his deep gratitude for the idea of ​​Islam Nusantara which is used as a major theme of the upcoming NU 33rd congress is accepted by the international community.

"I heard that the UN (United Nations) held a special discussion on Islam Nusantara. Thank God, Islam Nusantara could be accepted internationally," Kang Said told reporters here on Wednesday (08/07).

He said as quoted by VOA Indonesia, the United Nations held a discussion taking up issues of moderate Islam in Indonesia at its headquarters in New York, USA, on Tuesday (07/07).

The discussion initiated by the Indonesian permanent representative at the UN was attended by religious leaders, observers, diplomats, and community leaders.

"It is heartening," Kang Said said, calling on those outside the NU who have always question the idea of ​​Islam Nusantara not to no longer debate it.

"I reiterate Islam Nusantara is not a new religion, nor a new sect. And most importantly Islam Nusantara will not teach someone to be radical, will not teach enmity and hatred," he said.

Meanwhile, Dr. James B. Hoesterey from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, considered the idea that Islam Nusantara as exemplary for the international community.

"As an anthropologist who has been doing research in Indonesia, I am pleased that the world and representatives and ambassadors of their respective countries can listen to a little more deeply about Islam in Indonesia which may not be the same as that in their country, for example Saudi Arabia. If we look to the future, perhaps Indonesia could be an example," said Dr. James.

On the same occasion, Dr. Chiara Formichi, an expert in classical Islamic studies and the history of Islam in Indonesia from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, said that many lessons could be learned from Islam in Indonesia.

"The idea of ​​Islam Nusantara is very closely with the culture and history of Indonesia. I did not know could it be applied in other countries or not, but it certainly could be an example to understand why someone embraced Islam," he said.

Th NU 33rd Congress will be held in Jombang, East Java, August 1 to 5, 2015. The highest consultative forum of NU takes the theme 'Strengthening Islam Nusantara for Civilization of Indonesia and the World'. (masdar)