Gus Dur's daughter: NU-initiated Isomil could help realize freindly Islam

Jakarta, NU Online
The oldest daughter of the late KH Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), Alissa Wahid stated that Isomil (International Summit of the Moderate Islamic Leaders) held by NU is a proactive step in campaigning for a friendly face of Islam through the character of Islam Nusantara that still becomes the theme of the meeting.

The National Coordinator of the Gusdurian Network made the statement on the sidelines of a meeting with NU Online at the Jakarta Convention Center, Senayan, Central Jakarta on Monday (9/5).

"Currently, the face of Islam in the world is now the angry face of Islam. Therefore, the flexible and inclusive character of Islam Nusantara is absolutely needed in the midst of the Islamic world, especially in the Middle East that is littered fully with radicalism and terrorism," Alissa said.

She explained that there had been many communities around the world impressed by the way of Indonesian people in practicing their religiousity, saying that the world expected Indonesia to continue to inspire and encourage world peace.

The woman now actively serving as secretary of LKKNU also expressed her experience during her participation in international meetings in Berlin and other countries. There, Alissa said, Islam could no longer show its friendly face, especially in dealing with differences due to their rigid understanding of Islam as a religion of peace.

"So then when they take a look at the harmony of Islam in Indonesia, as if they could find an oasis in the hot and arid desert," Alissa said.

Harmony in Indonesia that have long grown centuries should not be tarnished by any angry, hard, closed, and anti-difference religious understanding. (Masdar)