In Search for Nationalist-Religious Leaders

Yogyakarta—Universitas Islam Indonesia’s (UII) Faculty of Law (FH) held a Public Lecture on Islam and Nationalism entitled “National Leadership Succession: In Search for Nationalist and Religious Leaders” at the FH UII Auditorium on Jl. Kaliurang KM 14.5 on Thursday, 7 September 2023.

The event invited as speaker Chairman of the Muhammadiyah Central Board for the 2022-2027 period, Prof. Dr. Haedar Nashir, M.Sc. The UII academic community warmly welcomed the presence of the national figure, who is often called Buya (Father) Haedar.

Buya Haedar began his speech by explaining about the ijtihad (independent reasoning) that our ulama in the past carried out to come up with an Islamic concept of statehood that considered the existing social, political and economic aspects.

“Muamalah duniawiyah [worldly affairs], including national and state politics, are entirely the domain of ijtihad,” Buya Haedar said. “In fact, the Islamic political system itself is entirely within the realm of ijtihad because Islamic teachings are mujmal [brought together].”

According to Buya Haedar, this practice can also be traced from the political systems of various Islamic and Muslim-majority kingdom and republic countries. As for Indonesia, Muslims historically reached a compromised when formulating the basis of the state in order to create a cosmopolitan civilization.

“The Jakarta Charter was born initially with seven words. Then there was another debate, but a compromise was then reached, spearheaded by Ki Bagoes Hadikoesoemo, who at that time was Chairman of Muhammadiyah and who represented the aspirations of Islamic figures to find common ground,” Prof. Haedar told the public lecture audience.

Nationalism and Religion in One Breath

Buya Haedar also shared his perspective on the continued debate between nationalism and religion. “There is no longer a dichotomy creating a diametric position between religion and nationalism. In fact, the most important thing is how to integrate religiosity, Islamism and nationalism while also giving substantive meaning to Islamic values and statesmanship,” he said.

Quoting Bung Karno, Buya Haedar said that Indonesian nationalism concept was moderate. “In fact, if we dissect it further, Indonesian nationalism is a middle-ground nationalism that is not trapped in chauvinism,” he said.

“Moderate nationalism embraces diversity and doesn’t let Indonesia become just one group, one person or one power,” he explained.

Buya Haedar believes that many figures are equipped with both good national and religious frameworks. “This needs to be intensified. The orientation of politics of the nation, religion and statesmanship must become the state of mind of our elite citizens and the nation,” he said.

Post-Reformation Distortion of National Values

Buya Haedar expressed his concern about changes to the principles that had been agreed upon by the country’s founding fathers to separate religion and the nation.

“Do we need to reemphasize the importance of building the nation’s spirituality and mindset, or even its religion?” he asked. “Indonesia is like it is today because of the contribution of religion and the religious communities. In fact, we do not spread thoughts that negate religion and place religion as the cause of all problems in this nation.”

Buya Haedar also expressed concerns regarding the increasingly dimming concept of popular economics, putting as an example the power of a group of people over the nation’s economy.

“Our post-Reformation politics have been very liberal. This political liberalization gave birth to transactional politics, money politics or abuse of power to win elections. Is this not against the principles that our nation leaders have established?” asked Buya Haedar.

Apart from that, Buya Haedar also touched on the House of Representatives’ (DPR) passing of some laws that were widely opposed but were still passed. “Just because the majority in the House wants it [that they were passed]. We need ask ourselves, isn’t this inconsistent with or perhaps contrary to the fourth principle of Pancasila?” he asked.

“Indonesian democracy should have wisdom. There needs to be a discussion. It’s not about winning,” Buya Haedar said. “It’s possible that we feel nationalistic and are implementing the principles of Indonesian nationalism, but our actions are actually inconsistent with them.”

Efforts to Mature Political Attitudes 

Further, Buya Haedar said that a succession should have been considered a normal and routine political regulation. In his view, a post-Reformation Indonesia, which had experienced five elections, should have made us politically mature.

“There is no need to fight until we diametrically oppose each other, inflaming hostility and hatred. Aren’t five elections enough to make us mature? It would be too expensive if elections sacrificed our unity, sacrificed our power of reasoning, sacrificed greater interests,” he said.

Buya Haedar told the public, especially the youth, not to be apathetic. “With the majority now being younger people, a new political awareness should be born. Vote with your intelligence and knowledge,” he said.

As elections approach, Buya Haedar hoped that those in power would not misuse their authority to influence the elections. “The 2024 elections should be a place for us to become more mature and not to keep trying things out. Let’s make these elections our path to building an independent, united, sovereign, just and prosperous Indonesia,” he said.

UII Vice Rector for Student, Religious, & Alumni Affairs Dr. Drs. Rohidin, S.H., M.Ag. said in his remarks that religious nationalism was the most suitable and relevant national concept and character for Indonesia and its plural society. Meanwhile, he said, Pancasila is the kalimatussawa, a meeting point between religious, ethnic and cultural plurality manifested as the ideology and foundation of the Republic of Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Dean of UII’s Faculty of Law, Prof. Dr. Budi Agus Riswandi, S.H., M.Hum., conveyed in his remarks a reflection on the current frenetic pace of national politics. “The 2024 national leadership succession process should run well, certainly not just how the process works normatively,” he said. “Regardless, we all hope that we will elect a leader who is a nationalist and religious.” (VIP Magazine Vol 10)