Indonesia is Beautiful in Middle Eastern Eyes

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Interfaith devotees talk at the Garuda Pancasila statue at the Cathedral Church, Jakarta, during a gathering ahead of interfaith iftar with the theme Strengthening Tolerance, Brotherhood, and Human Solidarity, Friday (1/6/2018).

Thousands of Indonesians are currently studying in Middle Eastern countries. Some of them have experienced conflict, even war. In addition to gaining knowledge, they are also aware that Indonesia is a beautiful country based on Pancasila, which respects diversity.

“The explosion was very loud in Damascus. Very scary. We students were not allowed to leave," Susilo Pribadi (32) told Kompas in early August in the Shisha area of Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Susilo was recalling the war that broke out in 2012 in Syria. At that time, he had only been studying for a year at Ma'had Ta'hily before studying in the Sharia Department at Mujamma' Sheikh Ahmad Kaftaru in Damascus. The capital was besieged by rebels who had previously controlled several provinces, including the Aleppo region.

"Because of the worsening security situation, we students were evacuated to the Indonesian embassy’s guesthouse on the outskirts of Damascus," said the young man from Bulungan, North Kalimantan. Despite staying at the guesthouse, they continued to hear explosions. Many people were killed, including civilians.

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After the situation was brought under control, the students returned to their dorms. However, the streets were heavily guarded by soldiers. People were checked everywhere. The situation had calmed down by 2017, when Susilo started his master's degree at the same institution.

A similar story was told by Ahya Jazuli (30), from Cirebon, West Java. In 2013, he matriculated to the Department of Quran Hadith at the University of Zaytuna in Tunis, Tunisia. It was two years after the conflicts that had triggered the “Arab Spring.”

Fragile security

Ahya recalled the tense atmosphere in the Tunisian capital after hard-liners attacked Bardo Museum near the parliament building in 2015. Dozens of people, including a number of foreign tourists, were killed. Police and soldiers arrested the alleged attackers, but the threat had not abated. Soon, attacks again occurred in the tourist area of Sousse Beach.

In the middle of that situation, Ahya tried to be careful. “Starting only in 2016, the atmosphere became more stable. The security system, with the intelligence team, has been strengthened," he said.

Susilo and Ahya are among the thousands of Indonesian students who are studying in the Middle East. Coincidentally, the two of them, along with around 40 students in the region, were recently recruited as seasonal workers for the Haj Organizing Committee in Saudi Arabia. Outside work, they shared their experiences studying and living in those countries, including during conflicts and wars.

Moderation

What lessons can we take from witnessing conflicts in Gulf countries? According to Susilo, wars like that in Syria were triggered by the emergence of extremist groups that force their will using violence. At the same time, the government was weak, so the rebellion was difficult to control. The situation worsened when foreign interests became involved.

"While in Syria, I was grateful for the peaceful condition in Indonesia. This can be achieved only if all groups, including religious groups, are willing to respect differences and are moderate. This condition must be maintained," he said.

This should be done not only by the security forces or the government, but also by all communities, including religious leaders.

For Ahya, conflicts and violence like those in the Middle East made him appreciate the peaceful life in Indonesia even more. That peace must be maintained. One way to do so was by anticipating the rise of extremism, which was one of the roots of violence. This should be done not only by the security forces or the government, but also by all communities, including religious leaders.

Such awareness also grew in the mind of Hibatullah Zain (26), who is pursuing a master in Arabic literature at The International University of Africa in Khartoum, Sudan. He said he felt saddened seeing extremist groups in parts of the Middle East fighting against their own citizens. The violence lasted for a long time, destroying the country and causing the people to suffer.

SYRIAN CIVIL DEFENSE WHITE HELMETS VIA AP

In this photo provided Saturday, March 6, 2021 by the Syrian Civil Defense group known as the White Helmets, Civil Defense workers extinguish burning oil tanker trucks after a suspected missile strike around the towns of Jarablus and al-Bab, near the border with Turkey, in western Aleppo province, Syria. Syrian opposition groups and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in Britain, blamed Russia for the Friday night strikes.

He is grateful that Indonesia had succeeded in developing a democratic system in a pluralistic society. This was difficult for some countries in the Middle East that had a more homogeneous society. He gained this perspective after studying in a foreign country and viewing the reality with a wide lens.

“In the eyes of some Arabs, Indonesians are considered tolerant, respectful of differences. They said, Indonesiy ahsanu al-nas, tayibin [good people]," said Hibatullah, who hails from Malang, East Java.

Old traditions

According to Nasrullah Jasam, the haj consul at the Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the presence of Indonesian students in the Middle East reflected international recognition of their ability to study at institutions in various countries. This was a kind of continuation of the “old tradition” of the archipelago’s youth studying in Mecca while on pilgrimage since the 15th century. In foreign countries, students not only studied, but also developed international insights.

"The more they come into contact with people from various countries, including when they become haj officers, the students have an opportunity to be more open to various cultures," he said.

This country is a big home for a society that has diverse ethnicities, religions, races, classes, and groups.

From afar, the students are increasingly aware of the importance of safeguarding Indonesia. This country is a big home for a society that has diverse ethnicities, religions, races, classes, and groups.

(This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi)