NU Indonesia's diplomatic strength, experts say

Jakarta, NU Online
The role of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) in the global geopolitics is considered very important and needed to mediate any conflict in a number of countries, as well as to strengthen Indonesia's bilateral and multilateral relations at the international level. Therefore, The government is in need of more diplomats from NU cadres.<>

The International relations and European studies experts of the University of Indonesia (UI) Edy Prasetyono and Mahmoud Syaltout made the remakrs on the sildelines of a pre-NU Congress discussion in Jakarta on Friday (05/08).

"Now there is a change of global and regional trends. The hegemonic rivalry or global leadership is going on between the US and China. Europe and Russia are saturated. Indonesia, with a silk road flanked by various satellite countries of America and China, has to strengthen itself," Edy said.

While geopolitics in both East Asia and Southeast Asia, in the context of the economic, cultural and defense and security, according to Edy, is still prone to conflict and has become a major bone of contention by extra regional countries.

"In this case, Islam Nusantara, the character of NU religious ideology is  needed in strengthening the Indonesia's international relations. Therefore NU must maintain a moderate, open and tolerant stance and able to accommodate a variety of local traditions as a way of diplomacy," he said.

The NU important role in Indonesian diplomacy, according to Edy, is not a hoax. Because in a number of research and international forums, Islam Nusantara carried and preserved by NU is relatively more accepted and recognized for its moderation by neighboring countries in Asia, Europe, Africa and America.

"Our partner countries, especially the nearest neighbors, are mostly non-Muslim majority ones. If the typically community of Muslim-majority Indonesia is dominated by radical, exclusive and intolerant groups, they can fight against us," he said while revealing some data that show the presence of military forces in a number of islands and the sea nearby with Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Mahmud Syaltout focusing his expertise on European studies revealed some facts in terms of Indonesian cooperation with a number of countries that could be held successfully after a recommendation involving the Nahdliyin based organization.

"Pertamina, when lobbying Algeria to open oil investments, had to claim itself NU. We are Nahdliyin (NU followers). Because the character of the community and the government there is close to NU. Finally, Pertamina gained two oil wells there. Also in holding cooperation with Libya, we asked for a recommendation from Kiai Said (Aqil Siroj--General Chairman of NU). Then such cooperation could run successfully," he said.

A similar phenomenon also occured when the Indonesian government wanted to cooperate with the countries of Europe, America and others. They see the majority of Indonesia's population is Muslim and in fact was able to implement democracy peacefully. Unlike in other Muslim countries, such as in the Middle East, which were devastated by internal conflict.

"Indonesian diversity consisting of various different customs, tribes and faiths  but can be united thanks to the tolerance that is built by NU clerics (kiai), has its own value in the eyes of other countries."

"Therefore, there should be many NU cadres sent to various partner countries. Establish possible cooperation with countries in Europe, America, China, Japan, France, to Singapore and Malaysia. hold more cooperation on special scholarships for NU young cadres for example. This is important, since Indonesia is in need of NU character diplomats," he added.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq