KH. Suryani M. Nur
A Chairman of the Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI) Lampung Province.
Bandar Lampung-MUI Lampung Digital
On April 25, 2026, I had the honor of attending an International Ulama Seminar in Lampung, Indonesia, alongside the Vice Governor of Lampung, dr. Jihan Nurlela, M.M., and regional parliament member Muhammad Syukron Mukhtar, Lc., M.A. The forum, organized by Yayasan Darul Fattah Lampung in collaboration with Mu’assasah Risalah Salam (Egypt), brought together scholars to address pressing global and societal issues.
The seminar explored several critical themes, including رسالة السلام والتعايش السلمي في رؤية علي محمد الشرفاء الحمادي (the message of peace and coexistence), الطلاق يهدد أمن المجتمع (البعد الديني – الاجتماعي – القانوني) (divorce as a challenge to social stability), تصويب الخطاب الديني (الرؤية القرآنية – مخاطر التطرف – دور المؤسسات) (reframing religious discourse), and اندونيسيا في عيون الشرق (Indonesia in the Eyes of the Eastern World). The latter provides a compelling lens through which Indonesia’s global role can be understood.
Across much of the Eastern world, Indonesia is often viewed as a rare and successful example of harmony in diversity. As the largest Muslim-majority nation, it demonstrates that faith, democracy, and pluralism are not mutually exclusive, but mutually reinforcing. This recognition, however, should not be a source of complacency. It is a responsibility.
Lampung Province offers a microcosm of this national reality. With a population exceeding nine million people from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, the province reflects Indonesia’s pluralistic fabric. Islam remains the majority faith, yet coexistence with other religious communities is not merely tolerated, it is practiced daily. In markets, schools, neighborhoods, and public institutions, diversity functions as a unifying social force rather than a dividing line.
This social reality aligns closely with the concept of Islam Wasatiyah, a model of moderation that emphasizes balance, justice, and tolerance. It rejects extremism and polarization, advocating instead for a middle path rooted in compassion and social harmony. In many ways, Indonesia’s experience represents a living application of Islam as rahmatan lil ‘alamin, a mercy for all creation.
Notably, interest in Indonesia’s approach is growing across parts of the Middle East. Many countries are looking to understand how a deeply religious society can simultaneously sustain democracy, inclusivity, and stability. Indonesia offers not a perfect model, but a practical one.
Yet, harmony cannot be taken for granted. As highlighted in discussions on الطلاق يهدد أمن المجتمع (البعد الديني – الاجتماعي – القانوني) and تصويب الخطاب الديني (الرؤية القرآنية – مخاطر التطرف – دور المؤسسات), contemporary challenges from rising family disintegration to the spread of extremist narratives and misinformation pose real threats to social cohesion. These issues require proactive responses from religious leaders, educators, and institutions.
Promoting a balanced and inclusive religious discourse is essential. Interpretations of faith must remain grounded in values of mercy, wisdom, and coexistence, while institutions must actively safeguard these principles in an increasingly complex global environment.
From the perspective of the Eastern world, Indonesia stands as a beacon of moderate Islam and pluralistic harmony. Lampung, with its dynamic and diverse society, reflects this broader national identity in action.
Ultimately, Indonesia’s strength lies not in how it is perceived abroad, but in how consistently it sustains peace at home. If it continues to uphold the principles of moderation and embrace diversity as a shared destiny, Indonesia can remain a source of inspiration for a world increasingly marked by division. Wallahu A‘lam biṣ-Ṣawab.
