Ulema told to unite to spread Islam Wasathiyah

Jakarta, NU Online
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has urged ulema (Muslim scholars) to unite to spread Wasathiyah al-Islam (moderatism of Islam) in the world, Antara news agency reported.

"If all clerics unite based on a single stance to spread moderate Islam globally, I am optimistic that the axis of the global Wasathiyah Islam will become mainstream and give hope for the birth of a peaceful, safe, prosperous, and fair world and will also give rise to an Islamic movement to realize social justice," he stated at the Bogor Presidential Palace in West Java Province recently.

Jokowi voiced his views at the opening of the High-Level Consultation of World Muslim Scholars Summit on the Wasathiyah Islam, or Moderate Islam, and was attended by 50 Indonesian ulemas and 50 others foreign scholars from Yemen, Egypt, Iran, Morocco, Italy, the United States, and other countries.

Grand Syeikh of the Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Ath-Thayeb was also present during the high-level consultation. The forum was initiated by Indonesian President`s Special Envoy for Inter-religious Dialogue and Cooperation and Civilization Din Syamsuddin.

"In addition to sharing our experiences, we should initiate a movement. The Wasathiyah Islam movement should be a worldwide phenomenon that can inspire leaders, clerics, youth, and Muslims to stand firm on the path of moderate Islam," he emphasized.

He stated that Indonesia welcomed the spirit of moderation in the great movement of the Islamic world.

"We welcome this high-level consultation forum in which we can share experiences in implementing and developing the value of tasamuh (tolerance), holding deliberations, and adopting the middle path in order to become pioneers for the benefit of mankind," he noted.

He believed that several other issues will also be discussed and agreed upon during the forum.

He also introduced Indonesia as a democratic country with the largest Muslim population in the world.

"Our Muslim nationals number at around 210 million of the total population of 260 million. Indonesia has 714 tribes, over 1,100 local languages, and 17 thousand islands. We live in diversity and have different religions, tribes, and cultures," he pointed out.

He expressed grateful that Indonesia was able to maintain brotherhood, tolerance, peace, and unity in diversity.

"Indonesia has the state foundation of Pancasila and the national motto of "Unity in Diversity." Diversity is the gift of God that must be maintained. Diversity is the source of strength that makes us a strong nation. However, as a very diverse nation, we must not neglect maintaining unity," he noted.

He asserted that Indonesia will continue to spread the doctrine that fosters peace and unity, prioritizes deliberations with tolerance and trust, and brings social justice. (Masdar)