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 Tuesday.
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.
He was speaking at a seminar on RI-US relations under Barack Obama's administration held by the Foreign Ministry at Paramadina University.
Your comments:
Anti-Americanism in Indonesia is not a recent phenomenon related to, for example, the Bush years. It has a longer history that harks back to 1958, when Sukarno openly (and rightly so) accused the US of backing the PRRI/Permesta rebellions.
This stand against US imperialism was the mainstay of Sukarno's most popular speeches during the 1960s, and may have remained in the psyche of the Indonesian masses. Indonesia's leftist past had a significant role in it, and it would not have been difficult for Islamist-driven anti-Americanism to thrive since the first Gulf War in 1991.
Uyau Abing
I would say there should be some degree of give and take by both sides (Islam and the West) for the relationship to work.
Going into the discussion on the tension between Islam and America is like going into the discussion of who hit whom first? It would be endless and ineffective.
To the rhetorical question that asks, "How many Indonesians who were killed in America?" we would probably say "None". But then how many Palestinians and Iraqis - children even (who are seen as fellow Muslims) - killed every day by heavily armed American troops? Is the life of one American more valuable than those of 1,000 Muslims?
But on the other hand, to the statement that says, "America is the source of all evil, and we shall kill them everywhere they are," I would say, "Hold on, that's not Islam, that's just revenge."
Let's look for common ground. It's nearly impossible for countries to stay detached from one another nowadays.
The US needs Indonesia as Indonesia needs the US. More and more Americans come to work in Jakarta (in oil companies, the UN, etc.) and vice versa.
It's a challenge for the current government to balance and set a direction on where the country is going (with these growing religious aspirations).
People are and should be free to practice their religions (including build mosque every three blocks, provided permits are granted), as long as it does not violate other people's rights to enjoy their fundamentals rights.
So amid these differences common ground can be found.
Hilds
Coming from a background of so many faiths - Islam, Christianity, Judaism and Hinduism - my family is very open and full of understanding of other beliefs. Living in this pluralistic modern world, one must accept others' beliefs if one wants to live in peace, harmony and be accepted by others.
Unfortunately, the teaching of radical Islam has flourished in Indonesia. The opinions, views and small-mindedness have been accepted by the government, forcing citizens with other beliefs to be quiet and passive.
Americans and the West are not anti-Islamic. It is the teaching of radical Islam that is anti-West, and being anti anything is not Islamic. However, they still accept the generosity of the Western world.
Let's be honest with ourselves: the problem will never be fixed unless there is a full understanding that God created all of us equally.
Daniel Emerson
Islamaphobia? You're kidding, right? I'm sorry, but in the past eight years how many Americans have been killed in Indonesia in the name of Islam, and how many Indonesians have been killed in the US in the name of Christianity? And for some reason, the US continues to give aid to Indonesia.
Joe Shih
Singapore
In my opinion, for good relations it is necessary to talk about each others' mistakes. So it is right for the US to blame RI for its misdeeds in Papua, as RI can also blame the US for their activities in Guantanamo.
How could it be a good relationship if talks about such important issues are not possible?
Markus Hagenauer
