President Joko Widodo and Gerakan Pemuda Ansor move to block the political weaponization of Islam
“The true spirit of Indonesia”
Ansor promulgates the Nusantara Statement at a mass gathering heavily covered by Indonesia’s print, broadcast and internet media
Ansor Chairman H. Yaqut Qoumas presents a copy of the Nusantara Statement to President Jokowi
PEKALONGAN, Indonesia: November 22, 2018. One month after Gerakan Pemuda Ansor and its international affiliate, Bayt ar-Rahmah, hosted the Second Global Unity Forum in Yogyakarta, Ansor Chairman H. Yaqut Qoumas announced the adoption of the Nusantara Statement at a mass rally of over 100,000 Ansor members, and presented a commemorative steel plaque engraved with the Statement to Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).
The Statement conveys the essence of the historic Nusantara Manifesto, through which Gerakan Pemuda Ansor and Bayt ar-Rahmah have officially launched a process of systematically recontextualizing (i.e., reforming) obsolete and problematic tenets within Islamic orthodoxy.
100,00 members of Ansor and its militia “Banser” filled the Great Square of Kajen in Pekalongan, Central Java
In his speech at an event commemorating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad and National Heroes’ Day, President Jokowi praised Ansor for providing “living proof that our nation stands heir to the courage of warriors and the sincerity of heroes. GP Ansor is not easily intimidated; that is the true spirit of Indonesia. [Like Ansor,] we must all bravely demonstrate that Pancasila is the foundational ideology of the Indonesian nation state and cannot be replaced by other ideologies, including imported ideologies [propagated by transnational Islamist movements].”
The text of the Nusantara Statement engraved upon a steel plate—accompanied by Indonesia’s Red and White flag and prayer beads blessed by the spiritual leaders of PP (Madrassah) Krapyak in Yogyakarta—as presented to President Jokowi
The President thanked Ansor for “safeguarding Pancasila; preserving the spirit of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (“Unity Amid Diversity”); guarding the Republic of Indonesia and its 1945 Constitution; and protecting Indonesia from separatism and terrorist acts.” He also advised Ansor cadres “to remain patient in facing every challenge”: a veiled reference to recent provocations by Islamist radicals and their political allies. The mass rally in Pekalongan—which was originally scheduled to occur on October 26 in Yogyakarta, as the culminating event in Ansor’s Kirab Satu Negeri (One Nation Parade)—was postponed to avoid physical violence with extremists, who are widely believed to be supported by rogue elements within Indonesia’s military. President Jokowi appointed a new Army Chief of Staff on November 22, who stated that he will work to ensure the Army’s neutrality in the 2019 national election campaign.
“On this auspicious occasion, while commemorating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad and beseeching the assistance of God and the intercession of His messenger,” said Mr. Qoumas, in a frank and deeply moving speech, “Gerakan Pemuda Ansor reminds all of us that it is vital to restore the core function of religion as a spiritual path and a source of universal love and compassion. And on this evening full of divine blessings Gerakan Pemuda Ansor wishes to repeat our invitation to the people of Indonesia and the world, as contained in the Nusantara Statement:
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of God, the Most Beneficent, the Most Compassionate
“We call upon people of goodwill of every faith and nation to join in building a global consensus to prevent the political weaponization of Islam, whether by Muslims or non-Muslims, and to curtail the spread of communal hatred by fostering the emergence of a truly just and harmonious world order, founded upon respect for the equal rights and dignity of every human being.”
President Jokowi holds the Nusantara Statement aloft for all to see
“As the people of the Prophet Muhammad, it is fitting that we follow his example,” said President Jokowi, in a speech that followed his acceptance of the Nusantara Statement. “This includes developing noble character, fulfilling the mission of rahmatan lil alamin (“a blessing for all creation”) and safeguarding the spirit of brotherhood among all elements of society. A fellowship that does not discriminate on the basis of religion, social status or political views.”
President Jokowi joins Nahdlatul Ulama and Ansor leaders in a rendition of the patriotic NU song “Hub al-Watan Min al-Iman” (“Love of One’s Homeland is Integral to Faith”)
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President Joko Widodo’s Pekalongan Address