MODERATE ISLAM (WASATHIYYAH) IN INDONESIA: A CONTRIBUTION FOR ISLAMIC COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD

Abstract

This paper aims to offer a concept of moderate Islam in Indonesia which can be a solution for several Islamic countries in the world. This is motivated by incidents that occur in several Middle Eastern countries, which are main places and centers of Islamic studies in the world. Nowadays, those countries do not reflect the ideal picture of a peaceful Islamic country anymore (rahmatan lil alamin). There have been conflicts, disputes and killing that made Muslims throughout the world concerned and sympathy. On the other hand, Indonesia is recently present as a peaceful and moderate country, even recognized by the international community. By using literature studies and qualitative analysis, this paper describes Indonesia as a country whose population is a majority of heterogeneous Muslims (multi-religious, ethnic and cultural), can present itself as a country that is safe and peaceful. The results in this study indicate that Indonesia has the two largest communities organizations (Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhamadiyyah) with moderate understanding in religion and goverment. In addition, the Government of Indonesia established the Internasional Islamic University of Indonesia (UIII) to spread moderate Islam across the world as a form of its responsibility for the peace in the world. The Indonesian government hopes that UIII can make a real contribution to Muslim countries as one of the places and centers of moderate Islamic studies in the world.