I had previously highlighted an Indonesian scholar who had resisted all efforts by the government to enlist Islam into politics, warning that it could become the ‘thin end of the wedge’ for Islamist agendas to creep into Indonesia’s tolerant society.
“As long as they think Islam is an ideology, then I will not participate. Islam is a way of life. Its adherents should follow it voluntarily, not needing any legislation from the state.”
His name is Abdurrahman Wahid, but is more affectionately known as Gus Dur. He helms the largest Muslim group in Indonesia, the traditionalist Nahdatul Ulama (NU).
Recently, he contributed this article entitled “Right Islam vs Wrong Islam” to the Wall Street Journal. Here is a tantalizing excerpt:
This crisis of misunderstanding–of Islam by Muslims themselves–is compounded by the failure of governments, people of other faiths, and the majority of well-intentioned Muslims to resist, isolate and discredit this dangerous ideology. The crisis thus afflicts Muslims and non-Muslims alike, with tragic consequences. Failure to understand the true nature of Islam permits the continued radicalization of Muslims world-wide, while blinding the rest of humanity to a solution which hides in plain sight.
If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.
Hello,
I have written a rather different take on Gus Dur’s article here. Feel free to comment on it.
Yes, Wahid is against state Islamism but alas he is in the minority here. What underpins his whole article is that Islam is in fact not like what the terrorists think it is. However he provides not a shred of evidence for this and advances no alternative.