Jusuf Kalla Library Hosts Book Forum on Humanitarian Islam

Depok, October 25, 2024 — The Jusuf Kalla Library at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII) hold an engaging Book Forum titled "Prospects and Challenges in Promoting Humanitarian Islam: Nahdlatul Ulama’s International Social Partnerships." The event featured A’an Suryana, PhD, who shared insights from his monograph on the pressing issues and opportunities within Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia’s largest Muslim organization.

Dr. Suryana began by emphasizing the significance of NU's extensive national and international networks, especially during the Joko Widodo administration. He highlighted NU's strategic closeness to the state, which has allowed the organization to leverage resources for promoting its humanitarian goals. However, he posed the critical question of whether NU has truly lived up to the public's expectations regarding its commitment to humanitarian Islam. 

The concept of humanitarian Islam, as outlined by Dr. Suryana, refers to NU’s initiatives aimed at fostering peaceful coexistence among diverse religious communities, rooted in the principle of rahmah, or universal love and compassion. He traced NU's efforts back to significant historical milestones, including the 1965 Asia Africa Islamic Conference and the World Conference on Religion and Peace in 1994, chaired by the late Abdurrahman Wahid. These initiatives have contributed to NU's ongoing commitment to promote interfaith dialogue and collaboration.

In discussing the challenges NU faces in promoting humanitarian Islam, Dr. Suryana highlighted several key issues. Firstly, he noted a lack of clarity surrounding the vision of humanitarian Islam beyond a select group of leaders, which has led to confusion among NU members, particularly the youth wing, Ansor. Additionally, the vision has been criticized for being overly idealistic, limiting its appeal among grassroots members and NU intellectuals. The decentralized nature of NU's partnerships further complicates communication and awareness of humanitarian initiatives, hindering the movement's overall effectiveness. 

Dr. Suryana also outlined how the promotion of humanitarian Islam under the leadership of Yahya Cholil Staquf has evolved from earlier efforts focused on Islam Nusantara. He described how the establishment of international social partnerships has become a central vehicle for spreading humanitarian ideals, including partnerships with organizations like the Imam Warith Deen Mohammed (IWDM) community in the United States and participation in the Religion20 (R20) initiative. 

In concluding his presentation, Dr. Suryana offered recommendations for enhancing NU's approach to humanitarian Islam. He emphasized the need for clearer definitions of the concept to counter misunderstandings that equate it solely with charity and social services. Moreover, he suggested the implementation of improved communication strategies to raise awareness about humanitarian Islam, advocating for more community engagement and educational forums to ensure that NU's mission resonates with its broader membership. 

The Book Forum is among several innovative programs hosted by the Jusuf Kalla Library, which has recently opened its doors to the public. This initiative aims to foster intellectual discourse and promote a culture of reading and discussion within the community. The library, equipped with a vast collection of resources and modern facilities, is committed to supporting academic and public engagement through various events, workshops, and forums. 

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