25 American Religious and Political Figures Support Muhammad's Mosque Call

Washington DC, NU Online
Religious, political, and intellectual figures from the United States (US) gathered at the Muhammad Mosque in Washington, DC, Tuesday, July 13. Their presence is to ally with the Global Islamic Humanitarian Movement, the Warith Deen Mohammed Community, and the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA). This alliance builds strong ties among the world's religions in a joint effort to find a way out of inter-identity conflicts and fight for peace.

In attendance were Johnnie Moore (spokesperson for the American Evangelical community and Republican Party figure); David Saperstein (Reformist Jewish leader and Democrat); Paul Marshal (The Hudson Institute); Imam Imam Talib Shareef, W. Deen Mohammed community leader; and Secretary-General of NU Supreme Council  (PBNU) Yahya Cholil Staquf. Several delegates from the Indonesian Embassy in Washington, DC were also present on occasion.

The three-party alliance announced a joint statement they called The Nation's Mosque Statement. They invite all people of goodwill from all religions and nationalities to join in a global alliance built on shared civilizational values.

More than 25 American religious and political figures in attendance signed their signatures to support the call.

Yahya Cholil Staquf and WEA Secretary-General Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher delivered their keynote address at the forum initiated by The Center For Shared Civilizational Values ​​(CFSCV).

According to Yahya Cholil Staquf, the global alliance aims to prevent identity as a political weapon, stem the spread of communal hatred, promote solidarity and mutual respect among different groups, cultures, and nations. In addition, the alliance is also to fight for the realization of a truly just and harmonious world order based on respect for equal rights and dignity for every human being.

"We inherit a history of hundreds of years of inter-religious conflict. Now, in the context of the reality of the 21st Century, it is impossible for the world to endure conflicts like in the past because it will certainly bring the collapse of human civilization entirely," said Gus Yahya, his nickname.

Gus Yahya stated that now is the time for religions to build a solid theological foundation in their respective environments to guide their people to coexist peacefully in the middle of differences.

On that occasion, Gus Yahya conveyed greetings from the Chairman and Founder of CFSCV KH Ahmad Mustofa Bisri. He also explained that he was carrying out the mandate from the late KH Maimun Zubair that Indonesia should set an example to the world about unity in diversity called Bhinneka Tunggal Ika.

Thomas Schirrmacher expressed his confidence in collaboration with Nahdlatul Ulama (NU). "We have seen clear evidence that Nahdlatul Ulama is not only sweet-talking in terms of peace but is struggling in real thoughts and movements," he said.

The event also launched a book entitled Reimagining Muslim-Christian Relations in the 21st Century. The book is a compilation of writings from NU figures such as KH Abdurrahman Wahid and KH A. Mustofa Bisri, and WEA figures. The main article is the English version of the Muqaddimah Qanun Asasi, opening speech at the first NU Congress by Hadratus Sheikh KH M. Hasyim Asy'ari.

"With this book, for the first time, the Muqaddimah Qanun Asasi has been translated and published in English," said C. Holland Taylor, GP Ansor's Special Ambassador for America, Europe, and the United Nations.

According to him, it is too late that the world will have to wait almost a hundred years before gaining access to the thoughts of the founder of NU. The content of the basic qanun is very much needed for the enlightenment of humankind because it explains why society and civilization can collapse and how to awaken and build a solid and noble civilization. "If the world is willing to pay attention and follow his guidance, Hadratus Sheikh's thoughts will be a great help amid the current crisis," he added.

Editor: Kendi Setiawan
Translator: Muhammad Faizin