Indonesia’s new president endorses the vision and values of Humanitarian Islam
“The Golden Indonesia Vision 2045 represents our commitment to transform Indonesia into a developed country that plays an active role in fostering world peace. Humanitarian Islam is a key pillar in our efforts to achieve this vision.”
~ H.E. Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia
Former President H.E. Joko Widodo (left) watches H.E. Prabowo Subianto take the presidential oath of office at Indonesia’s National Assembly on 20 October 2024
DEPOK, West Java, Universitas Indonesia — On Tuesday 5 November 2024, the newly inaugurated President of Indonesia, H.E. Prabowo Subianto, outlined key elements of his foreign policy agenda in an address delivered at the opening session of the International Conference on Humanitarian Islam.
Unable to attend the event due to exigent circumstances, President Prabowo instructed his newly appointed Minister of Religious Affairs, Dr. Nasaruddin Umar, to read the presidential address before an audience that included six ministers in his Merah Putih (“Red and White”) cabinet, as well as foreign ambassadors, religious authorities, university administrators, professors, students, and top scholars from around the world who participated in the International Conference on Humanitarian Islam.
Following remarks by Professor Ari Kuncoro, Rector of the University of Indonesia; Shaykh Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League; and KH. Yahya Cholil Staquf, General Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Central Board, President Prabowo’s speech outlined his vision for Humanitarian Islam, just two weeks after his inauguration as leader of the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation and democracy.
Indonesia’s Minister of Religious Affairs delivering the presidential address, in which H.E. Prabowo Subianto declared: “As host, I would like to express my pride and joy at the convening of this noble event”
In his speech, which may be read in full at the end of this communiqué, President Prabowo described the Indonesian state’s Pancasila (“Five Principles”) ideology as a manifestation of Indonesia’s centuries-old inheritance of Humanitarian Islam, a tradition capable of fostering world peace by providing broad-based and multi-religious solutions to identity-based conflicts throughout the world:
The values of Humanitarian Islam are the anchor that has steadied Indonesia, weaving its diversity into a beautiful, harmonious whole. As the foundation of the state, Pancasila provides common ground uniting Islamic principles with an inclusive and humanist national spirit.
These are the values that we have inherited from our nation’s founders, which we must cherish and maintain. Pancasila is a foundation that combines deep spirituality with a just, civilized, and refined humanitarianism. It is here — in its capabilities and potential — that we find Indonesia’s strength.
Combining religious faith with a spirit of brotherhood provides us with a real-world example of how Islam can develop and spread a message of peace within the framework of human diversity. Therefore, it is right and proper for Indonesia to introduce Pancasila to the world as a manifestation of Humanitarian Islam.
In his opening address, KH. Yahya Cholil Staquf anticipated the President’s main theme, emphasizing that Humanitarian Islam is not a new concept, but rather the essence of the Prophet Muhammad’s divine message to the world, refracted through Indonesia’s ancient civilizational heritage and unique historical experience of managing diversity:
The Humanitarian Islam worldview that we have developed, as a means to address and resolve identity-based conflicts, emerged from Indonesia’s own experience. We are certain that this Indonesian “success story” is appropriate to share with the entire global community. For Humanitarian Islam strives to ensure the well-being of all humanity without exception, while reminding us of fundamental Islamic teachings that emphasize this principle.
In a video address delivered from Mecca, Shaykh Mohammad Al-Issa said:
I speak to you from the place of revelation and the beloved of the believers, from the Holy City of Makkah, the Qibla of the Islamic world, where the blessed earth was nourished by the revelation of the heavens….
Today, as believers, we are called upon to invest our civilizational assets in addressing the challenges of our world and confronting its negative phenomena, foremost among which is the hostile view of religion and the denial of its role in fostering harmony within our national societies and peace in the world at large. Indeed, there exists a hostile and dismissive view of religion that denies its balanced and influential role in guiding human life….
We call for respect for diversity and an inclusive form of nation building that engenders societal harmony and a global concord able to achieve justice, well-being, and security for all, through the collaboration of all.
I extend my sincere thanks to the Republic of Indonesia, its government, people, and especially His Excellency President Prabowo Subianto for supporting this conference and its important dimensions.
Thanks are also due to Nahdlatul Ulama, which — inspired by its values — tirelessly works to support these efforts for world peace.
I also thank the American Institute for Indonesian Studies for participating in this meeting.
May Allah guide this conference and grant it success. May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.
Above, left to right: University of Indonesia Rector, Professor Ari Kuncoro; Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Sugiono; Nahdlatul Ulama Chairman, H.E. KH. Yahya Cholil Staquf; Minister of Religious Affairs, H.E. Nasaruddin Umar; and Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, H.E. Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro
Indonesian media heavily covered the event, including the national news agency, ANTARA, which published an article titled “Prabowo: Humanitarian Islam is a strategic vehicle for achieving world peace.”
The opening session of the Conference featured a performance of Sholawat Emprak, a traditional Central Javanese invocation of praise and blessings for the Prophet Muhammad (saw.), which is rooted in Islamic mysticism.
Government ministers, foreign ambassadors, and international scholars gather for a group photo on stage (above), followed by a photo with senior Nahdlatul Ulama leaders (below).
H.E. Prabowo Subianto and President Joseph Biden in a bilateral meeting at the White House on 12 November 2024
His Excellency Prabowo Subianto’s Opening Address
to the International Conference on Humanitarian Islam
[Dr. Nasaruddin Umar]:
As the Republic of Indonesia’s Minister of Religious Affairs, I would like to convey warm greetings from His Excellency Haji Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia. His Excellency was determined to be here with all of us today, but due to sudden and unforeseen circumstances, he has asked me to represent him in his absence and convey his words to you on this special occasion. Please allow me to read the President’s remarks.
[H.E. Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia]:
Honorable General Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Central Board and Honorable Ministers of my Red and White Cabinet.
Honorable Rector of Universitas Indonesia and all of its distinguished staff.
Honorable Secretary General of the Muslim World League and all the ambassadors of friendly countries, leaders of religious organizations, and distinguished guests.
Let me begin by expressing my gratitude for the presence of God Almighty. Thank You for all the favor and blessings that You have bestowed upon the nation of Indonesia. May Allah subhanahu wa taala continue to pour forth His blessings upon our lord, the great Prophet Muhammad (saw.), and may we be his people, united with him in heaven.
Today we find ourselves enjoying the warm hospitality of the International Conference on Humanitarian Islam. As host, I would like to express my pride and joy at the convening of this noble event. Indonesia is an indispensable contributor to world peace. May we be consistent in safeguarding and spreading peace throughout the world.
Distinguished guests, Indonesia is a country blessed with a diverse territory upon which more than 270 million people live side-by-side in harmony and in a spirit of respect for religious, cultural, and ethnic differences.
Indonesia is a reflection of the noble values of Islam. These values are peaceful and moderate. It is on this basis that our entire nation may deeply feel and experience the warmth, brotherhood, sincerity, solidarity, and humility essential to mutual sharing and respect.
The values of Humanitarian Islam are the anchor that has steadied Indonesia, weaving its diversity into a beautiful, harmonious whole. As the foundation of the state, Pancasila provides common ground uniting Islamic principles with an inclusive and humanist national spirit.
These are the values that we have inherited from our nation’s founders, which we must cherish and maintain. Pancasila is a foundation that combines deep spirituality with a just, civilized, and refined humanitarianism. It is here — in its capabilities and potential — that we find Indonesia’s strength.
Combining religious faith with a spirit of brotherhood provides us with a real-world example of how Islam can develop and spread a message of peace within the framework of human diversity. Therefore, it is right and proper for Indonesia to introduce Pancasila to the world as a manifestation of Humanitarian Islam.
Distinguished guests, the [post-WWII] history of international peace cannot be separated from Indonesia’s role upon the world stage since its Declaration of Independence on 17 August 1945. Indonesia has played an active part in promoting the values of peace and dialogue between nations. The 1955 Asian-African Conference in Bandung became one of the 20th century’s historical milestones, enshrining Indonesia’s commitment to promote solidarity, independence, and world peace.
Indonesia also consistently sends peacekeeping troops around the world under the flag of the United Nations, making a real contribution to fostering stability in those parts of the world plagued by conflict. Indonesia’s role in mediating conflicts between nations reflects an unwavering commitment to building a more peaceful and harmonious world order.
All of this is, without doubt, inseparable from the values of Humanitarian Islam and the principles of Pancasila, which emphasize the importance of justice, humanity, and universal brotherhood. The Golden Indonesia Vision 2045 represents our commitment to transform Indonesia into a developed country that plays an active role in fostering world peace. Humanitarian Islam is a key pillar in our efforts to achieve this vision, which will be accomplished through dialogue, cooperation, and fostering peaceful relations between nations.
Indonesia is ready to contribute to the creation of a more harmonious world, free from conflict, and imbued with a humanitarian spirit. I would like to re-emphasize that Humanitarian Islam is not only a local Indonesian inheritance, but a global message of good tidings, which invites all humanity to return to fitrah (human beings’ innate, pure, and original state) which is full of wisdom, justice, love, and compassion.
With its diverse experiences in nurturing our nation and people, Indonesia is ready to share best practices and inspire others to create a more just and peaceful world. On behalf of the Indonesian people and their government, I wholeheartedly commend those who have convened this International Conference on Humanitarian Islam.
May this conference give birth to enormous enthusiasm and bring great benefits to us all, by serving as a strong foundation upon which to build a brighter and more harmonious future.
[End of H.E. Prabowo Subianto’s address.]
[Dr. Nasaruddin Umar, Minister of Religious Affairs, Republic of Indonesia]:
Ladies and gentlemen — that was the welcoming address His Excellency Prabowo Subianto instructed me to deliver. Let us pray that Allah subhanahu wa taala will always bless the steps we are taking. Thank you for your presence and your attention [to this Presidential address].
Wassalamu‘alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. (“May the peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.”) [Arabic]
H.E. Prabowo Subianto with President Joko Widodo and Nahdlatul Ulama Chairman KH. Yahya Cholil Staquf in Surabaya, East Java, on 22 October 2023, prior to Indonesia’s 2024 presidential election, which Mr. Prabowo won decisively in the first round
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