Dedy W. Sanusi

Agenda Bersama Studi Islam Indonesia-Maroko

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 10:21:00 +0000

Pendidikan tinggi Islam di Indonesia berkembang sangat progresif tahun-tahun belakangan ini. Dalam tahun ini saja (2013), ada 2 IAIN yang beralih status menjadi UIN (Universitas Islam Negeri), yaitu IAIN Ar-Raniry Banda Aceh dan IAIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya; ada 5 STAIN (Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Negeri) akan beralih status menjadi IAIN, sehingga di seluruh Indonesia, ada 8 UIN, 19 IAIN dan 27 STAIN. Angka-angka ini akan bertambah mencengangkan jika kita juga menghitung PTAIS (Perguruan Tinggi Agama Islam Swasta) yang tersebar di seluruh pelosok negeri.

Prof. Dr. Azyumardi Azra menyebut bahwa lembaga pendidikan Islam di Indonesia adalah yang terbesar jumlahnya di seluruh dunia. Sebagian besar dari lembaga-lembaga ini dimiliki oleh masyarakat, mandiri secara finansial dan menjadi salah satu ikon terpenting umat Islam Indonesia. Namun demikian, sejalan dengan perhatian dan anggaran negara yang semakin besar untuk pendidikan –termasuk dalam hal ini pendidikan agama--, maka kontribusi lembaga-lembaga pendidikan Islam, terutama pendidikan tinggi-nya diharapkan akan terus meningkat, bukan hanya untuk peradaban Islam di Indonesia, tetapi juga di seluruh dunia.

Dalam peta persebaran intelektual muslim Indonesia, memang terjadi pergeseran tujuan dan corak kajian dari masa ke masa. Pada abad ke-18 sampai dengan ke-19 masehi, tujuan menuntut ilmu agama Islam biasanya adalah tanah hijaz (Mekah-Madinah). Banyak nama-nama besar ulama nusantara yang belajar dan kemudian menjadi guru besar di tanah suci ini, semisal Syekh Nawawi Banten, Syekh Mahfudz Termas, Syekh Arsyad Banjar, Syekh Yasin Padang dan lain-lain. Beliau-beliau inilah yang melahirkan kiai-kiai besar yang kemudian menjadi pendiri banyak organisasi dan lembaga pendidikan Islam di nusantara.

Pada abad ke-20, primadona baru tujuan belajar Islam adalah Mesir. Universitas al-Azhar yang terkenal melahirkan banyak ulama dunia Islam di abad ke-20 adalah tempat mayoritas mahasiswa Indonesia belajar. Alumni-alumni Azhar inilah yang kemudian mewarnai `corak intelektual keislaman di Indonesia, mulai dari pembaharuan pembelajaran Bahasa Arab, membumikan al-Qur’an dengan tafsir-tafsir tematik yang menjawab persoalan-persoalan kontemporer umat Islam di Indonesia (Prof. Dr. Qurasih Shihab sebagai model) sampai dengan begitu banyak alumi al-Azhar yang terjun ke dunia pendidikan tinggi Islam dan pesantren-pesantren di Indonesia.

Sejalan dengan pertumbuhan kelas menengah muslim dan pergerakan mobilitas sosial umat Islam sejak paruh akhir rezim Orde Baru, tujuan-tujuan belajar Islam semakin variatif dan beraneka corak. Peran Kementerian Agama, terutama sejak era Menteri Agama Munawir Sjadzali, juga besar dalam hal ini. Kala itu, sudah ada langkah-langkah sistematis Departemen Agama RI melahirkan intelektual-intelektual muslim dengan mengirim mahasiswa-mahasiswa berprestasi untuk belajar Islam, baik ke barat (Amerika, Eropa) atau ke Timur Tengah.

Salah satu tujuan baru belajar Islam di Timur Tengah adalah Maroko. Banyak hal menarik yang menjadikan negeri ini belakangan ini menjadi primadona baru tujuan belajar Islam. Sebabnya antara lain adalah: Pertama, kedekatan pemahahaman dasar dan perilaku keagamaan antara kedua bangsa. Sebagaimana diketahui, muslim Indonesia adalah muslim sunni sebagaimana juga muslim Maroko. Yang berbeda adalah mazhab fiqh-nya: Indonesia, mazhab syafi’i, Maroko, mazhab maliki. Kedua, hubungan kedua negara dengan demikian bukan sekedar diplomatik, tetapi kebudayaan dan keagamaan. Kemudahan keluar masuk Maroko (tanpa perlu visa) juga mengundang banyak pihak di Indonesia, terutama para mahasiswa, peneliti atau bahkan pelancong tertarik datang ke Maroko.

Dari aspek daya tarik daya tarik dalam bidang keilmuan, Maroko setidak-tidaknya memiliki dua keunggulan; Pertama, karena posisinya yang dekat dengan Eropa, para intelektual Maroko menyerap dengan sangat baik filsafat eropa dari sejak zaman renaissance di Italia sampai dengan kebangkitan filsafat bahasa di Perancis. Akibatnya, kajian-kajian filsafat berkembang dengan sangat baik di Maroko. Kedua, di bidang kajian hukum Islam, teori maqashid yang dilahirkan kembali oleh Imam Syathibi di abad ke-8 Hijriyah juga berkembang pesat di Maroko. Teori ini semakin terkenal secara internasional belakangan ini di tangan pemikir seperti Prof. Jasser Audah yang pernah mengisi seminar internasional di Mataram beberapa waktu yang lalu.

Sisi lain yang sifatnya intrumental tetapi sangat strategis dan menarik adalah peluang emas para pelajar di Maroko untuk bisa menguasai Bahasa Perancis. Karena Maroko termasuk negara francophone (negara-negara berbahasa Perancis), maka persoalan bisa tidak bisa berbahasa Perancis, lagi-lagi, adalah soal mau atau tidak mau. Di Indonesia sendiri, intelektual muslim yang fasih berbahasa Arab sekaligus Perancis bisa bisa dihitung dengan jari. Kenapa bahasa Perancis penting?, karena banyak kajian filsafat dan pemikiran Islam kontemporer (seperti karya-karya Muhammad Arkoun) ditulis dalam Bahasa Perancis.

Dus, beberapa agenda bersama yang bisa diseriusi oleh para peneliti di ranah kajian Islam di Indonesia dan Maroko adalah:

1. Peneguhan dan promosi kajian-kajian keislaman yang bersifat genuin, moderat tetapi juga progresif, karena karakter-karakter semacam inilah yang mewakili ruh Islam sebagai agama universal yang diturunkan sebagai rahmat untuk seluruh umat manusia.

2. Kajian-kajian tentang “Islam dan Pluralitas”, baik itu pluralitas agama, kebudayaan, etnis, bahasa dan seterusnya. Sebagaimana kita ketahui bahwa eksistensi Indonesia terjaga salah satunya karena ajaran Bhineka Tunggal Ika; sebagaimana di Maroko, meskipun hampir seratus persen penduduknya adalah muslim, namun warga negara yang beragama yahudi mendapatkan hak-hak sipil dan agamanya secara layak dan penuh kemerdekaan di Maroko.

3. Kajian-kajian di ranah hukum Islam dengan pendekatan perbandingan mazhab dan teori maqashid syari’ah. Ada banyak hal yang bisa diserap dari mazhab maliki ini, seperti penggunaannya terhadap maslahah mursalah dalam penggalian hukum Islam, penggabungan antara kekuatan nalar dan otoritas teks dalam istidlal (argumentasi hukum) dan seterusnya.

4. Last but not least, kajian-kajian pemikiran dan filsafat Islam yang mengkaji soal-soal seperti tradisi dan modernitas, agama dan sekularisme, hubungan Islam dan Barat dan –yang akhir-akhir ini ramai diperbincangkan di kalangan perguruan tinggi Islam—soal integrasi dan interkoneksi antar ilmu pengetahuan dapat menjadi agenda bersama yang sangat menarik dalam kajian bersama intelektual muslim di kedua negara.

Wadah kelembagaan, agenda-agenda penelitian yang sudah dan sedang berjalan dan niat baik dari para pemangku kepentingan di kedua pihak sebenarnya sudah ada dan dalam batas-batas tertentu sudah bekerja. Lembaga persahabatan Indonesia-Maroko sudah berdiri, baik di Jakarta maupun di Rabat. Kementerian Agama, Duta Besar dan para civitas akademika di kampus juga sudah berjalan dengan agenda masing-masing. Yang diperlukan kini dan ke depan adalah mempertemukan stake holders ini untuk bekerjasama dalam kajian-kajian keislaman dalam tema-tema yang menjadi kepentingan bersama agar produk dan pengaruhnya bisa maksimal bermanfaat bukan hanya untuk kedua negara, namun juga untuk umat Islam di seluruh dunia.

Rabat, 10 Desember 2013

Membangun Jembatan Peradaban Indonesia-Maroko

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Tue, 10 Dec 2013 03:43:00 +0000

“Saya di sini hanyalah tukang yang sedang membangun jembatan”.

(Bapak Tosari Wijaya,

Dubes RI untuk Kerajaan Maroko)

Demikianlah inti sambutan Duta Besar RI di Maroko, Bapak Tosari Wijaya, ketika menerima tujuh dosen IAIN Mataram, peserta program Doctoral Research yang diselenggarakan atas kerjasama PIU-IsDB (Project Implementation Unit-Islamic Development Bank) IAIN Mataram dengan Universitas Ibnu Thufail Kenitra Maroko, 27 Nopember sampai dengan 16 Desember 2013.

Jembatan yang dimaksud Pak Dubes adalah jembatan peradaban. Itulah juga yang diamini oleh Prof. Dr. Abdelhanine Belhaj, Dekan Fakultas Adab dan Humaniora Universitas Ibnu Thufail, pada hari berikutnya ketika menerima delegasi IAIN Mataram. “Kedatangan bapak-bapak ke kampus ini, kami harapkan juga semakin memperkaya pertukaran pengalaman, pemikiran dan kebudayaan dalam rangka memperkuat jembatan peradaban antar kedua negara, Maroko dan Indonesia”, kata Prof. Belhaj.

Kebetulan juga, Kenitra (Qantharah-Qunaithrah), kota dimana Universitas Ibnu Thufail berada berarti jembatan. Kloplah sudah. Pilihan doctoral research IAIN Mataram di kota ini dapat menjadi semacam ikon pewujudan misi membangun jembatan peradaban yang sama-sama diinginkan oleh kedua Negara.

Hubungan Indonesia-Maroko, meski yang satu di ujung timur dan yang satu lagi di ujung barat dunia Islam, telah terjalin mesra sejak kunjungan Presiden Soekarno ke Maroko yang disambut hangat oleh Raja Muhammad V. Presiden Soekarno pada masa itu memang menjadi semacam inspirator perjuangan kemerdekaan bangsa-bangsa di Afrika Utara yang digongi dengan konferensi Asia-Afrika di Bandung, tahun 1955.

Bahkan hingga saat ini, nama “Soekarno” dan “Bandung” diabadikan sebagai nama jalan di pusat kota Rabat, Ibukota Maroko. Warga Negara Indonesia bisa masuk ke Maroko tanpa visa. Mahasiswa Indonesia yang hendak kuliah baik untuk jenjang S1, S2 atau bahkan S3 masih mendapat beasiswa dari agen kerjasama luar, AMCI (Agence Marocain de Cooperation Internationale) di Kementerian Luar Negeri Maroko.

Yang menarik di Maroko ini, semua jenjang pendidikan dari tingkat dasar sampai perguruan tinggi (S1, S2, S3) tidak dipungut biaya alias gratis. Jadi, mendapatkan pendidikan setinggi-tingginya di Maroko, bukan persoalan mampu atau tidak, tetapi mau atau tidak. Di Universitas Ibnu Thufail sendiri, seperti penjelasan Prof. Dr. Jamal al-Karkouri, Wakil Dekan bidang penelitian ilmiah dan kerjasama antar lembaga, mahasiswa yang belajar sampai sejumlah 30 ribu mahasiswa, yang 16 ribu-nya belajar di Fakultas Adab dan Humaniora.

Di seluruh penjuru negeri, ada 14 universitas yang melayani pendidikan tinggi secara gratis, bukan hanya untuk anak-anak muda Maroko, tetapi juga dari Negara-negara Afrika, Timur Tengah, Asia Tenggara, termasuk Indonesia. Sejak tahun 2001, universitas di Maroko sudah mulai melahirkan doktor asal Indonesia. Dari tahun ke tahun, jumlahnya terus bertambah. Sebagian besar kemudian mengabdikan diri di PTAIN dan PTAIS di Indonesia. Artinya, salah satu perekat jembatan peradaban antar kedua Negara, akan terus menguat dari tahun ke tahun.

Bersamaan dengan itu, kerjasama secara kelembagaan antara kementerian terkait dan perguruan tinggi-perguruan tinggi terus menunjukan tren menguat. Pada saat tim doctoral research IAIN Mataram berada di Maroko inipun, ada banyak tim yang juga berada di Maroko dan tersebar di berbagai universitas baik untuk tujuan recharge keilmuan, sabbatical leave untuk para profesor, penjajakan dan penandatanganan nota kerjasama (MoU-Memorandum of Understanding), dosen tamu (guest lecturer) dan lain-lain.

Pada saat yang sama, kunjungan-kunjungan para intelektual Maroko ke Indonesia, tahun-tahun belakangan juga dilakukan secara reguler. Pada forum AICIS (Annual Islamic Conference on Islamic Studies) yang belum lama diselenggarakan oleh IAIN Mataram, dua wakil dari Maroko datang sebagai pembicara. Pada AICIS tahun sebelumnya di IAIN (sekarang UIN) Sunan Ampel Surabaya, wakil Maroko juga hadir sebagai pembicara.

Jika ditarik jauh ke belakang, persambungan Indonesia-Maroko sudah terjalin sejak kedatangan Ibnu Batutah, pengembara muslim asal Tangier Maroko yang datang dua kali ke Nusantara dalam perjalanan ke dan kembali dari China yang diabadikannya dalam buku “Rihlah Ibnu Batutah”. Artinya, berita tentang nusantara sudah dikenal di Maroko jauh sebelum Presiden Soekarno menyambung kembali secara formal dan emosional hubungan Indonesia-Maroko melalui kunjungan bersejarah beliau ke Maroko pada 2 Mei 1960 itu.

Platform hubungan kedua bangsa memang bisa dilihat dan dirasakan langsung pada ciri khas keberagamaan yang secara umum tidak jauh beda antara muslim di Indonesia dan muslim di Maroko. Kedua bangsa muslim ini sama-sama dikenal sebagai muslim yang moderat, toleran, menjaga tradisi keberagamaan secara kuat dengan tetap membuka diri untuk melakukan modernisasi di berbagai bidang kehidupan. Dalam pengamalan agama Islam, mayoritas muslim di Indonesia dan Maroko sama-sama dikenal sebagai ahlussunnah wal jamaah dengan perbedaan pada mazhab fiqh; Indonesia menganut Mazhab Syafi’i sementara Maroko mengikuti Mazhab Maliki.

Di kalangan pesantren, kitab al-jurumiyah yang ditulis oleh ulama Maroko, Syekh Ajrum, kitab Dala’il al-Khairat yang disusun oleh Syekh al-Jazuli yang juga ulama Maroko, kitab Muqaddimah yang ditulis oleh Ibnu Khaldun ketika berdomisili di Fes Maroko adalah kitab-kitab populer yang menjadi bukti betapa pengaruh ulama Maroko di Indonesia sudah ada dan berlangsung sejak lama.

Kalaupun kemudian Presiden Soekarno meminta Raja Muhammad V agar membebaskan warga bangsa Indonesia untuk bisa masuk ke Maroko tanpa visa (begitu juga sebaliknya); kalaupun kemudian Pemerintah Indonesia (Kementerian Agama) menjalin kerjasama erat dengan Pemerintah Maroko terutama dalam bidang pendidikan tinggi; maka itu sebenarnya adalah pengejawantahan dari hubungan kesejarahan dan keilmuan yang sudah berlangsung lama tersebut.

Yang kemudian penting dirumuskan kini dan ke depan adalah –sebagaimana diusulkan juga oleh Prof. Belhaj, Dekan Fakultas Adab dan Humaniora Universitas Ibnu Thufail—bagaimana para intelektual, peneliti dan kalangan Perguruan Tinggi Agama Islam di Indonesia dan rekan-rekan sejawat mereka di Maroko dapat merumuskan agenda-agenda bersama, tema-tema besar yang menyangkut kepentingan umat Islam di Indonesia dan Maroko untuk menjadi perhatian serius yang berkelanjutan dari kedua belah pihak agar hubungan erat antar keduanya dapat melahirkan karya-karya besar dan bermanfaat, bukan sekedar bagi umat Islam di kedua Negara, tetapi juga bagi umat Islam dan umat manusia dimanapun mereka berada.

Inilah makna sangat strategis bagi IAIN Mataram untuk ikut terlibat dan berkontribusi dalam gerak peradaban ini. Kelak IAIN Mataram akan beralih status menjadi Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN). Artinya, harus segera ada transformasi keilmuan dan kelembagaan di IAIN Mataram untuk secara layak tampil sebagai lembaga pendidikan tinggi yang berkontribusi bukan hanya untuk masyarakat NTB, tetapi juga untuk Indonesia dan dunia.

Rabat, 8 Desember 2013

Come Back

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Sat, 16 Nov 2013 02:30:00 +0000

Inshalla, I am going back to Morocco to make some research for 21 days from November 25th to 15th December 2013. I am coming back my beloved Morocco!

Indonesia: Tiger of Islamic Banking

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 01:02:00 +0000

Lahem Nasher, the Prominent Islamic Economic Columnist in Asharq Alawsath Neswpaper stated Indonesia as the Tiger of Islamic Bank. Read his full column, here.

Empty Space

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 04:43:00 +0000

I am thinking about a period of empty space. Muslim world in these several years has been left by its brilliant thinkers. In Indonesia, Nurcholis Madjid and Abdurrahman Wahid passed away. Egypt lose the best expert on encyclopedic knowledge about israel, Abdulwahhab al Massiri; the best expert on modern European philosophy, Abdurrahman Badawi and expert on text and hermeneutic, Nasr Hamid Abu Zayd. Morocco has been left by big thinker of philosophy, Mohamed Abed el-Jabri. Aljazair and France before few days has been left by Mohamed Arkoun.

id mubarak

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 21:52:00 +0000

Id Mubarak Saeed
Kol 'Am wa Antom Bikhair

Century Scandal

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:13:00 +0000

It is near to liberal democracy. Century scandal is brought to public by media almost every day. Special committee in the parliament (pansus) works openly to the media. Media can access almost all of their meetings. And public can assess who will be the most responsible the case.

This scandal could be hot key to make vise president and the minister of treasury step down from their position. And then, President SBY will be positioned as the goal keeper of where this scandal will end. Impeachment? May be....

Gus Dur

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:47:00 +0000

Today is the 40th days after Gus Dur (Abdurrahman Wahid, former President of Indonesia) passed away. It seems that nobody can replace his multi roles in Indonesia in near future. His roles as the anchor of pluralism, multiculturalism and nationalism in Indonesia are the most impressive things that Indonesian people learned from him. This evening in several places many people pray for him. May God bless you, Gus Dur.

Living in Jakarta

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 03:03:00 +0000

I am now living in Jakarta, after several years of studying in Morocco. I will start blogging again. I will focus on three major areas: Indonesia, middle east and international affairs. I will write frequently.

Important Day

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 12:51:00 +0000

Tomorrow, April 9th, Parliamentary General Election will be held in Indonesia and Indonesia's embassies abroad.

I hope that something will be running well in peace. This election is important to strengten democracy in Indonesia. Its results will give us more clear picture of the candidates in next presidential election.

After election, improving economy and combating corruption will be two crucial major tasks to lawmakers in the parliament and officials in the new administration.

German as A Model, Globalization Can't be Stopped

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:54:00 +0000

Der Spiegel interviewed Economist Joseph Stiglizt to know in depth crisis that world is facing now. He suggests that when capitalism fails, state economy is not an alternative. "communism doesn't work as economic system", Mr. Joseph Stiglizt said. German social model then is alternative.

This interview is very interesting.

Debt, Unemployment, Inflation

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:23:00 +0000

This is very sharp opinion on the other picture of recent G20 summit in London. It sounds more honest to not use : Stability, Growt, Jobs as slogan of the summit but: Debt, Unemployment, Inflation, says the opinion.

I quote part of opinion showing how terrible situation is America facing rightnow:

"The addiction to new cash injections was chronic. The US had allowed itself to sink into an abject lifestyle. It sold more and more billions in new government bonds in order to preserve the appearance of a prosperous nation. To make matters worse, private households copied the example of the state. The average American now lives from hand to mouth and has 15 credit cards. The savings rate is almost zero. At the end of the Bush era, 75 percent of global savings were flowing into the US.

The president and the head of the Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan, knew about the problem very well. Perhaps the Americans even knew just how irresponsible their actions were -- at any rate, they did everything they could to hide them from the world. Since 2006, figures for the money supply -- in other words, the total number of dollars in circulation -- have no longer been published in the US. As a result, a statistic which is regarded by the European Central Bank as a key indicator is now treated as a state secret in the US.".

Read the full of opinion here

Waiting for Real Candidates to Presidential Election

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 09:40:00 +0000

Legislative General Election will be held in next April 9th in Indonesia. Candidates for presidential general election in next July much depend on result of this legislative general election. Candidate for presidency must be supported by party (or parties) that reach at least 25 pecent of people votes in the poll.

So that, there is still no real candidates of president and vice president to race for next presidential election. The big names in the public sphere are: Megawati Soekarnoputri (former president), Susilo Bambang Yudoyono (incumbent President) and Jusuf Kalla (incumbent Vice President). Their parties (with or without coalition) are predicted gain enough votes to bring them to the presidential election.

The speculation is bigger when it relates to vice president candidates. Some possibilites are endorsed by Media, but no one of them is fixed. We must wait untill the days after April 9th then, to make sure the couples who will fight in next presidential election.

Vice President's Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:28:00 +0000

I am impressed with Mr. Jusuf Kalla, Indonesian Vice President's Blog. It is funny, smart, good written in Bahasa and direct approach to the issues that most Indonesian people care about.

Mr. Jusuf Kalla is in his way to presidential candidacy of his party to the presidential general election next July. His blog is one of his way to be in touch with the people.

I don't know how much will the blog increase his electibility. But the thing should be appreciated is his will to write daily on public issues and communicating personally with the people.

A Last Chance for Two States Solution

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:07:00 +0000

Roger Cohen, in NY Times, writes about proposal on Mideast peace to President Obama that signed by 10 former senior officials in US.

There are four core items in the proposal:

"The first is clear U.S. endorsement of a two-state solution based on the lines of June 4, 1967, with minor, reciprocal, agreed land swaps where necessary. That means removing all West Bank settlements except in some heavily populated areas abutting Jerusalem — and, of course, halting the unacceptable ongoing construction of new ones.

The second is establishing Jerusalem as home to the Israeli and Palestinian capitals. Jewish neighborhoods would be under Israeli sovereignty and Arab neighborhoods under Palestinian sovereignty, with special arrangements for the Old City providing unimpeded access to holy sites for all communities.

The third is major financial compensation and resettlement assistance in a Palestinian state for refugees, coupled with some formal Israeli acknowledgment of responsibility for the problem, but no generalized right of return.

The fourth is the creation of an American-led, U.N.-mandated multinational force for a transitional period of up to 15 years leading to full Palestinian control of their security".

They call the proposal as "a last chance for a two-state Israel-Palestine agreement.”

It sounds realistic for President Obama if his Administration gives serious efforts to mediate lasting peace between Palestine and Israel.

Prof. Juan Cole on Engaging The Muslim World

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 10:13:00 +0000

Prof. Juan Cole lauched his new book: "Engaging The Muslim World". He appeared in Asia Soceity to talk about it.

"Beginning with a detailed slide presentation, Cole argued that the Muslim world, far from being a single monolithic entity, is actually far more heterogeneous than most people in the West (particularly Americans) commonly suppose. Cole went on to explain how changing demographics and patterns of energy consumption mean that America's relationship with the countries in question will only become more important further into the 21st century. In the end, he concluded, "dialogue, compromise, and engagement" will be crucial for the US to maintain (and in some cases establish) better relations with the Islamic world.", wrote Asia Soceity.

Watch full presentation here.

Decreasing Tension

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:33:00 +0000

Political tension on international affairs seems to be decrease in near future. Yesterday, Riyad of Saudi Arabia hosted summit of four heads of states: Saudi Arabia, Suriah, Egypt and Kuwait. They worked to prepare real reconcilation among arab countries in dealing with their common interest.

Meanwhile, US in its way to talk with Suriah and Iran: two countries that often referred as resistance forces against US and its allies hegemony. US Secretary of State, Mrs. Hillary Clinton recently visited China to strengthen cooperations between the two countries. She also met Russia Foreign Minister, Mr. Sergey Lavrov to talk about key issues on missile defence and nuclear arm reduction.

I think that the more diplomatic ways are used to look for solution in hot issues of international affairs the more beneficial out put can be reached in term of peace and reducting conflicts.

Instable Sudan: Justice or Peace?

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 12:38:00 +0000

ICC (International Criminal Court) issued warrant to arrest President of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir in suspection of war crime and crime againts humanity in Darfur, but Mr. President defies. These days, He is in rally to gain people of Sudan support against the warrant in all over Sudan.

300.000 people have been killed in Darfur. 2.7 million people are now displaced. Their basic needs to food, water and medicines are much supplied by international NGOs, but several days ago, they were forced to leave Sudan. Darfur is still field of human disaster.

Some peace agreements between Sudan government and opposition forces in South and North of Sudan have been signed, but stability remains fragile. International communities are now under examination to chose justice or peace as priority.

The paradox is that big countries in UN Security Council such as America, China and Russia are among the countries that didn't sign Rome Treaty that set up the court. In fact, it is really difficult to avoid political intervention in law enforcement process. The countries with strong power often use double standard in dealing with international affairs especially those relate with instable countries.

Morocco Vs Iran: Cut The Relation

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 18:09:00 +0000

"The Kingdom of Morocco has decided to break its diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran beginning this Friday," Said Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

There are three reasons of the decision: First, the tension between the two countries after Morocco's solidarity to Bahrain that recently claimed by an adviser of Iran supreme leader as part of Iran. Second, support of Iran to Polysario that tried to separate from Morocco. Third, threat of spreading of Shia in Morocco that based regiously on sunni (malikian in fiqh).

Good Start

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:52:00 +0000

It is good start for united Palestine. Thirteen factions of Palestine--including Fatah and Hamas-- agree today in Cairo to form five committees to prepare united government, general election, united army forces, national reconciliation and reformation of PLO.

There is still long road to go. The success of this start much depends on support of arab countries and international communities. Palestine people in Gaza and West Bank no longer have choice but unity to face terrible situation that have been left by recent Israeli war on Gaza and success of hard line to form Goverment in Israel.

Names for Presidency of RI

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:27:00 +0000

Almost all Indonesian Medias these days talk about Mr. Jusuf Kalla, Vice President of Indonesia's readiness statement to race for president in next July general election in Indonesia. Political map immediately changed. It broke two strong blocks with two popular figures: Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, incumbent president and Megawati Soekarnoputri, former president.

There are other names in the list: Prabowo Subianto, Rizal Ramli, Sultan Hamengkubuwono, Sutiyoso, etc. But those three names: Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Megawati Soekarnoputri and Jusuf Kalla are the strongest than the others.

Climate Cange: Radical Change on U.S. Policy

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 04:03:00 +0000

I remember how difficult U.S. representative was in saying 'yes' to Bali Road Map on Climate Change that issued in Bali of Indonesia, Dec, 2007. Now, as Obama Administration begins to work, clean energy becomes major issue in U.S. dealing with high cost fuel energy. Important amount of economic stimulus package that has been signed by President Obama will go to deal with clean energy and climate change issues.

There is no doubt that the impact of climate change affects our planet more serious than anytime before. While Victoria of Australia has been hitted by bushfire, flood attacked the other place of the country. London has lived the worst snow attacks in previous month. Our planet at whole is in serious impact of climate change.

I think that U.S. moving forward on climate change issues will be part of solution to the serious impact of climate change that we face. If all countries have same intention on the issue, our earth will be better place for all, now and in the future.

Back To The Track

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:23:00 +0000

U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton said that American national security based on three D: Defence, Diplomacy and Development.

She plays key role in two of them. Her first visit as Secretary of State to Asian Countries: Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and China will bring the two missions. The issues like American forces in Japan, economic recovery, developing stronger ties with Indonesia and North Korean nuclear program will be her talks with the officials in these countries.

I think U.S. is in serious efforts to back to the track in its foreign policies that has been worsen in recent eight years of Bush administration.

Let's Support Turkey

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 06:55:00 +0000

Turkey is now captivating millions of people around the world. Erdogan becomes a hero not only for Turks but also for Arab and Muslims. He represented, in his reaction to the emotional defence of Israeli President to the war on Gaza, rejection and condemnation of million of people around the world to the military action of Israeli forces in Gaza.

Now and in the future, Turkey will play more important role in the middle east. President of Palestine, Mahmud Abbas and President of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak, visited Turkey and expressed their support to Turkey's role in supporting lasting peace in the region. Turkey also toke part as broker in indirect frezeed negotiation between Israel and Suriah.

Indeed, Middle East needs such brave and objective inisiator to promote peace in there.

Different Voices from Iraq and Afganistan

noreply@blogger.com (Dedy W. Sanusi) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 01:10:00 +0000

There were different voices in Iraq in one side and Afganistan in the other. Talking in Munich several days ago, President of Afganistan admitted that the situation in Afganistan after 7 years of what so called 'war against terrorism' is still terrible. He offered dialogue to Taliban. Yesterday, at least 20 people were killed in Taliban attack to the building of justice ministry.

Meanwhile, the situation in Iraq seems to be improved. Iraq Prime Minister, Nuri Al Maliki vocally asked US no to make so much intervention to entire Iraq affairs. The newest election in Iraq is also relatively carried out in condusive situation. If Iraq succeeded in building stable domocratic country, it will be good news of the region.

How much mideast need stable democratic countries in facing so many latent conflicts in the region.