ISLAM NUSANTARA AND THE ROAD TO PEACE

K.H Said Aqil Siradj - Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama

Islam is a religion full of grace and is universal. That is, the mission and teachings of Islam is not only addressed to one group or country, but the whole human race and even the universe. Islamic archipelago itself consists of two syllables namely Islam and Nusantara.

Islam means "submission, obedience, submission and peace". This religion has five basic teachings as revealed by the Prophet Muhammad, namely "Islam is a witness to the truth there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, establishing the Prayers, performing the charity, performing the fast and perform the Hajj - for the capable". In addition Islam has two guidelines that are always referred, namely Al-Quran and Hadith. Both contain teachings that guide mankind along with the universe in a better and orderly direction.

Nusantara is a term that describes the archipelago region from Sumatra to Papua. Because the archipelago is majority located in the territory of the State of Indonesia, the archipelago is usually equated with Indonesia.

Based on the above understanding, Islam Nusantara is a religious teachings contained in Al-Quran and Hadith practiced by the prophet Muhammad followed by the natives of the archipelago (Indonesia) or people who live therein.

According to K.H Said Aqil Siradj, Islam Nusantara is the only Islam that Indonesia has, namely the heterogeneous islamic style. one area with another region has its own characteristics, but has the same spirit. The similarity of the breath, is the essence and wisdom of the long journey of centuries of Islam in Indonesia which has produced a characteristic that prioritizes aspects of the marriage authorized esotoris, rather than the exoteric shari'a.

Islam Nusantara came not to change the doctrine of Islam. he just wants to find ways to get closer to Islam in the diverse cultural context of society. Islam Nusantara is not a syncretism effort that combines Islam with "Javanese religion", but cultural awareness in da'wa as has been done by our predecessor Walisongo.

Conflict in the name of religion (Islam) that never ends in various parts of the world, especially in the middle east as the birthplace of Islam, raises unrest among Muslims, as well as other religious communities. They began to question the teachings of Islam, Is it true that Islam teaches Violence, war, killing and bombing in the name of religion? Where is a peaceful, humanist and tolerant Islam?

The question, for the people of Nahdlatul Ulama is very understandable because Islam has various models, depending on its interpretation of the text. There is nothing wrong with the teachings of Islam. What needs correction are those who interpret the teachings of that religion, and its contextualization in a particular culture. Islam Nusantara is not anti Arabic because after all the basics of Islam and all the main references in Islamic-speaking Arabic.

It is time for Islam Nusantara exported out and became one of the international icons. Islam Nusantara will be Indonesia's contribution to the world. Islam Nusantara should show its strategic position as Islam rahmatan lil 'alamin in Indonesia and the whole world. Krena in the aspect of understanding, practice and Islamic Culture of the archipelago is very promising to be the guidance of the Islamic world, as evidenced by the role of Islamic Nusantara in the history of Indonesia that is able to maintain peace in the history of Indonesian nationality.

Finally, I quote the words of an anthropologist James B. Hoesterey about Islam Nusantara. He said: "I am happy that the outside world and the representatives and ambassadors of each country can listen a little deeper about Islam in Indonesia which may not be the same as Islam in their country, for example saudi arabia. can be an example. "

Islam Nusantara will be the Center of World civilization, and Indonesia will be the Laboratory of Islamic education in the world.

(GP Ansor Kotamobagu)