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Issues: `Islamophobia undermines RI-US ties'
Mon, 05/18/2009 1:43 PM | Reader's Forum
The persistent Islamophobia among Americans and anti-Americanism among Indonesian Muslims are still undermining diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the United States, a lawmaker told a seminar. Sidharto Danusubroto, deputy chairman of the House of Representatives' international relations commission, said Indonesia was still perceived by some Americans as a haven for Islamic radicalism, while the US was still "cynically perceived as an imperialist country" by Indonesian Muslims.
Your comments:
I agree that Islamophobia makes problems everywhere, while anti-Americanism is - in my opinion - just reaction to this. Dual-standards that are used by the US administration must be abolished to convince the Islamic world that the US has good faith in its relations with other countries.
From my observations, the US administration in fact knows much about the Indonesian Muslim community's basic characteristics from its communications with NU, Muhammadiyah and even individually with potential Indonesian Muslim leaders. This communication is facilitated through the US ambassador to Indonesia.
Indonesian people are very tolerant, welcoming and understanding as long as others do not intend to do anything to hurt them. So, better and more communication is preferable.
And again, from my own observations, Obama has started to direct his administration to build better understandings that must be followed by others.
Obama's administration also must make efforts to reform American perceptions (among politicians, economists, journalists and the common people) on Islam and Muslims, by providing more information about Islam.
I saw a good little effort that was conducted by the Muslim community in the UK this month to provide better information and communication with others about Islamic values by organizing an "open day" mosque program.
This program was very interesting and I saw it was really appreciated by more than 200 non-Muslim visitors during the two-day program. So, I absolutely agree that a wider intensive communication can be promoted not only under official missions, but also social and cultural ones.
Taukhid
Islamophobia still occurs because of many recent new laws popping up from local to national levels of government - laws that are clearly sharia-based that show a blatant disregard for any other people's personal beliefs and religious inclinations.
In addition, since the fall of Soeharto, every subsequent president has allowed increased controls to be established by extremist Muslim parties and groups, further degrading the religious harmony in Indonesia.
In a country where other religions find it extremely difficult to build places of faith, yet every three blocks a mosque is either being built or blaring out Islamic prayers, is it any wonder that the international community views Indonesia as a hotbed of Islamic radicalism?
On the other hand, this so-called view of American Imperialism is a view fostered by all the Islamic radicals in our country which is a view they commonly share with terrorist groups throughout the world. Where is the support for the US to change under the Obama administration that we saw during the US elections?
I wonder if people here remember Hillary Clinton coming to Indonesia and asking certain members of the Indonesian radical groups to come and meet for dinner, yet they (I forget who or which one) flatly rejected the invitation, stating "It's a waste of time."
It sort of amuses me that a lot of Islamic groups have a lack of sensitivity for creating relationships with other religions and government bodies.
David
Jakarta
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Jon (not verified) — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 12:46am
My comment is actually towards Suzi's write up...outstanding. You have nailed the spot precisely..on all accounts. I lived in Indonesia for a year recently. I was not paranoid about Islam or the wonderful people of Indonesia. I was concerned about certain extremeist that take the word too far for their own personal agenda. Yes, we did see it happening many years ago with Christianity. Hopefuly, Islam does not have live through the same shame Christians have to live with (Inquisition)...
SuzyQ (not verified) — Mon, 05/18/2009 - 6:38pm
David form Jakarta says:
"It sort of amuses me that a lot of Islamic groups have a lack of sensitivity for creating relationships with other religions and government bodies."
Glad to hear that it amuses you - because from the other side this is goes to the heart of the problem - where in the west there is religious freedom - it is the Muslims who are most likely to show intolerance toward others in the name of their religion.
They believe that it is their religious right - to conquer - or bring others under their religious - umbrella - rejecting this Islamic push - goes to the heart of fear or discomfort with Islam in the west.
Hindus and Buddhists of exactly the same color skin - seemingly have little or no trouble with others in the west - in this sense racism must be ruled out - and the behavior and demands made by Muslims brought into focus.
Here is Islam's problem - in the west there is a memory of the Inquisition and religious repression mainly from the Catholic Church and other Puritanical groups who travelled to America - the current Islamic push to introduce Shari'a or Islamic like laws - looks very similar to this. We in the west have already brought our religion under control - that is why Islam - can exist there under - freedom of religion laws - but in the Islamic world - the same cannot be said - hundreds of churches have been burnt to the ground in Indonesia - or forcibly closed due to pressure from Muslims - also minority Islamic sects are also openly opposed in your country.
It is difficult to talk about western Islamophobia - when religious freedoms are not guaranteed in the Islamic world. Muslims may find it difficult to bare - that others reject their beloved religious beliefs and prophet - in the west we have to right to - Muslims will have to get used to that - and do what we all prefer - that would just go and pray quietly.
______
With all the wars raging in the name of Islam - many are puzzled why Muslims don't see - this as the problem - over 'Islamophobia' - as fear or distrust of Islam is a symptom of the aggression and intolerance shown by Muslims.