REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Radicalism and acts of terrorism by particular religious groups did not actually emerge in Indonesia, according to former religious leader of "Nahdlatul Ulama" Hasyim Muzadi.

"Likewise, interfaith relations in Indonesia exist in harmony, including across cultures and customs within the framework of bhinneka tunggal ika (unity in diversity)," Muzadi noted in his speech at the Indonesia-EU Dialog on Human Rights on last Tuesday in Brussels, Belgium.

According to Muzadi, violence, extremism, and terrorism began to surface in Indonesia after the WTC tragedy on September 11, 2001.

Muzadi remarked that the reform process in Indonesia that supported openness also led to the entry of radical and extremist movements in the country.

"Therefore, Indonesia is not a radical and terrorist nation but is, in fact, a victim of the increasing global influence of radicalism and terrorism," Muzadi pointed out.

Muzadi, who also officiated as the president's Advisory Council, said Indonesia cannot prohibit the radical ideology due to the process of democratization in the country.

According to Muzadi, before the entry of the ideology of religious transnationalism that brought along a political system of a foreign country, most Muslims in Indonesia embraced the moderate Islamic ideology called "ahli sunnah wal jama'ah" that consolidated with the state system based on Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.

Muzadi urged Indonesia and the international community to come up with a common solution to counter violence, radicalism, and terrorism.

"Some of the steps taken by Indonesia to solve the said problem are running an anti-radicalism movement to raise awareness among all sections of the society. The top issue is the misunderstanding and misuse of religion. Religion is supposed to be for the sake of humanity, but they have transformed it into a humanitarian catastrophe," he affirmed.

Muzadi said if ideological and legal approaches cannot stop the radical movement, then actions to suppress terrorism should be taken through a security approach.

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