British ambassador hails NU-initiated Islam Nusantara

Jakarta, NU Online
Both extremism and radicalism should immediately be prevented by all elements, ranging from civil society organizations to the government agencies engaged in any effort to counter extremism and terrorism.

British Ambassador to Indonesia Moazzam Malik made the statement on the sidelines of a signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the British government and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the Indonesia's largest Muslim organization at the NU headquarters recently.

According to Malik one of the efforts to deal with various threats posed by extremists and radicals is by sowing the seeds of tolerance for it is recognizing and respecting others' differences.

Malik also greatly appreciated the government of Indonesia as the most populous Mulim country in upholds the values ​​and principles of tolerance.

"Our Prime Minister also agreed that we can learn from Indonesia (tolerance)," Malik said, adding that UK and probably other countries to learn more about the concept of Islam Nusantara as formulated and initiated by the Nahdliyin-based organization in propagating the principles of tolerance, respect for differences, as well as combating extreme and radical acts.

It certainly, Malik said, would show that Islam is not a religion of violence, but is full of love and peace.

"We hope to learn more about Islam Nusantara and promote this concept to the British public, as well as all citizens of the world," said Malik, expecting the culturally long-standing Islam Nusantara legacies could be absorbed by other Muslims around the world to rethink their Islamic teachings that are littered fully with humanistic values. (Masdar)