Amid growing sectarianism and intercommunal rifts that run deep, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has called on religious leaders to use their massive influence to promote unity in society.

Speaking at the opening of the 12th National Meeting of Jam’iyyah Ahlith Thariqah Al-Mu’tabarah An-Nahdliyyah (JATMAN) in Pekalongan, Central Java, on Monday, the President urged all religious leaders, especially Sufi clerics, to play a greater role in protecting pluralism and unity.

“It is a blessing from Allah that I can be united again with the successors of Prophet Muhammad that have studied diligently and implemented the teachings, ethics, moral values and character of the God’s messenger,” said Jokowi in his opening remarks.

He added that he strongly believed in the core values of a person who studied and implemented the Islamic teachings of Prophet Muhammad, whose behavior and high moral standards set an example to all human beings.

“With his set of values, people have always maintained what is called ukhuwah [brotherhood], starting with ukhuwah Islamiyah, which is based on Islamic laws; ukhuwah wathaniyah [brotherhood in descent and nationality]; and ukhuwah basyariyyah [brotherhood of all of mankind],” he said.

The President continued his remarks by reminding all participants that Indonesia was a country full of diversity and that Indonesians must respect each other.

“We have 714 tribes, various religions and 1,100 different local languages. This is God’s grace for us, a destiny that we must safeguard and strengthen together,” Jokowi said in the meeting, which was also attended by Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saefuddin, Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki, Manpower Minister Muhammad Hanif Dhakiri, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo and JATMAN leader Habib Muhammad Luthfi bin Ali bin Hasyim bin Yahya.

Indonesia’s largest Islamic organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) established JATMAN in 1979 as an umbrella group of several tariqa in the country.

Derived from an Arabic word meaning “path,” tariqa is a school of Sufism, a mystical form of Islam that emphasizes an inward search for God and the ultimate truth. The three largest tariqa in Indonesia are the Qodiriyah, the Naqsabandiyah and the Syadziliyah.

As a result of their emphasis on spiritual life, the Sufi have a reputation as a peaceful and tolerant branch of Islam. Their mystical beliefs and practices have made them the target of extremist groups, such as the Islamic State (IS) group, which see them as heretics and apostates. In his remarks, Jokowi recalled his encounter with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, who told him it was important to maintain a spirit of brotherhood and pluralism to avoid the types of conflicts that had plagued the Central Asian country.

“President Ghani told me: ‘Be careful, your country is very large. If there is a conflict, you have to end it quickly, especially if it is between tribes or between religions. This is very dangerous’,” Jokowi said.

“Because of that, I call on tariqa ulema [clerics] across Indonesia to protect this country from division.”

To that end, Jokowi said, all of society must continue to use as guidance in civic life the state ideology, Pancasila; the concept of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia; the state motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity); and the 1945 Constitution.

Jokowi said tariqa ulema had served the country since before independence. “This must be maintained and enhanced,” he said. “We owe a debt of gratitude to tariqa ulema.”

Habib Luthfi bin Yahya also called on tariqa followers to maintain a sense of togetherness. “There are more than 40 branches of tariqa in our country, and they are all united under NU protection,” he said.

During the national meeting, which is set to run until Thursday, JATMAN will vote for its next president. (kmt)

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