Abdul Muhaimin: Pesantren Leader 2004

Abdul Muhaimin: Pesantren Leader 2004

Interfaith Dialogue in Abdul Muhaimin's Pesantren

Abdul Muhaimin is the Head of Nurul Ummahat Islamic Boarding School (Pesantren) in Yogyakarta.  Mr. Muhaimin has played a leading role in promoting religious tolerance and strengthening collaborative efforts among a variety of religious groups, including Muslims, Christians, Catholics, Buddhists, and Hindus.  He endeavors to create a peace and harmony, while promoting democracy.  In 2003, he traveled to the United States as an exchange grantee in the “Pesantren Leader” Program.  This experience led him to believe that the religious tolerance that exists in the United States may be adapted for Indonesia.

You have recently been making headlines for your effort in mediating peaceful resolutions to communal religious conflict the country through your organization the Yogyakarta Interfaith Forum.  Please tell us more about the organization.

We founded the People of Religious Brotherhood Forum (FPUB), or simply known as the Interfaith Forum, on March 24, 1997, in Yogyakarta.  The FPUB was founded in coordination with 70 other religious leaders, including Muslims, Christians, Catholics, Buddhists, and Hindus.  Typically, the Jogja Interfaith Forum regularly conducts inter-religious dialogues in villages. So far, we have managed to hold dialogues in more than 120 villages in the Yogyakarta area.  We promote multiculturalism, tolerance, and mutual respect for one another.

What has the organization achieved since its establishment?

In addition to conducting dialogues in villages, we also build partnerships with religious leaders in different areas who work to maintain religious harmony in their communities.  We have worked together on various activities, including relief efforts for victims of natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions.  Religious leaders and consortium members also have contributed to the rehabilitation of the forests in the aftermath of the Mount Merapi eruption and have planted 112,500 trees.

What do you think is the key to the continuation of socio-religious harmony in this country?

I believe that intensive communication, conversation, engagement, and collaboration could resolve a number of social issues.  With diverse groups, it is incredibly important to have a real picture of Indonesia that is both heterogeneous and pluralistic.  We have to keep our eyes open and be cautious of provocation of religious intolerance in Indonesia.

Please tell us a little bit about your experiences in the United States and if they may have shaped your vision about religious tolerance.

In 2003, I participated in a program called the “Pesantren Leader” Program. This program incorporated leaders of boarding schools from various regions in Indonesia to look at religious life in the United States.  We visited around 14 states and we met with religious leaders there. We also visited religious centers - visiting places of worships and meeting with local religious figures.  I saw that Americans are very tolerant In the United States; everyone is entitled to practice their faith without worrying about getting interference.  I wish that the democracy and religious harmony in America would be adapted here. In America, religious differences do not become obstacles; people may live their life and achieve what they desire.

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