[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 13 (Wednesday, February 9, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1189-S1191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        MODERATE ISLAM MOVEMENTS

  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, 2 weeks ago when I talked about relief for 
the victims of the tsunami in Indonesia and what we are doing there, I 
said there was much more I wanted to call to the attention of my 
colleagues and the people of the United States. One area that is 
extremely important is the enormous effort that is underway in 
Indonesia's mainstream, moderate Muslim population to promote a 
moderate, pluralistic, democratic Islam, both in Indonesia and 
throughout the region.
  Unlike the Middle East, in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, Islam and 
Muslim organizations have been at the forefront of the country's 
struggle for a democratic society.
  And Muslim groups and leaders in Indonesia have been among the 
world's pioneers in driving inter-faith dialogues.
  During my recent visit to Indonesia, I met Yenny Zannuba Wahid, one 
of the latest leaders in this movement. Yenny is the daughter of His 
Excellency Abdurraham Wahid; a Muslim cleric, a leader in promoting 
religious tolerance in Indonesia and one of Indonesia's first 
democratically elected presidents.
  Yenny has founded the Wahid Institute, an organization dedicated ``to 
bringing justice and peace to the world by espousing a moderate and 
tolerant view of Islam and working for the welfare of all.''
  As Yenny noted in a recent speech, Islamist parties gained a sizable 
vote in the 1999 and 2004 Indonesian elections; these developments 
present the question of what role Islamic forces will play in setting 
the direction of social and political evolution in today's Indonesia. 
Will Indonesia, a democracy with Muslim population of over 200 million, 
remain on the path of a moderate, pluralistic democracy or will a small 
but increasingly influential minority of fundamentalistic Islamists 
steadily gain ground with the masses?
  Through the creation of the Wahid Institute, Yenny has chosen not to 
allow these currents to flow without resistence. To be precise, the 
goal of the WI is to expand on the intellectual principles of Gus Dur 
to development of moderate Islamic thought that will promote democratic 
reform, religious pluralism, multiculturalism and tolerance amongst 
Muslims both in Indonesia and around the world. The institute has set 
out to create a dialogue between the highest spiritual and political 
leaders in the West and Muslim world.
  The Wahid Institute has embarked on an impressive agenda of programs, 
including an effort to facilitate communication between Muslim and non-
Muslim scholars on Islam and Muslim society and on the subjects of 
Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism; through conferences, 
discussions, publications and its website--wahidinstitute.org.
  The Wahid Institute has plans to build a Muslim library, to serve 
scholars, researchers, activists, built on the library and life work of 
President Wahid. It is also planning to link Muslim NGOs and committed 
individuals to build a network of individuals and groups dedicated to 
promoting these ideals.
  Just an importantly, the Wahid Institute will focus on the education 
of young people, supporting opportunities for promising young men and 
women in Indonesia to focus on progressive and tolerant Muslim 
thinking.
  But the Wahid Institute is the latest of the groups committed to 
promoting moderate Islam. The Liberal Islam Network and International 
Center for Islam and Pluralism have been hard at work at promoting a 
peaceful and progressive Islam for sometime. I encourage all to become 
familiar with these groups.
  In neighboring Malaysia, a country with a majority Muslim population 
of 18 million Muslims, recently elected Prime Minister, Abdullah 
Badawi, has emerged as a strong voice in promoting ethnic and religious 
tolerance and equality for women.
  His own country struggled through times of violent race riots and has 
made ethnic and religious tolerance an

[[Page S1190]]

objective. Malaysia has been an economic success story and U.S. 
businesses consider it a great place to invest and do business. But the 
growing strains of fundamentalist Islam have emerged as a challenge. 
The new Prime Minister has confronted them.
  As noted in an excellent opinion piece in the Asian Wall Street 
Journal written by Diana Lady Dougan, ``with senior positions held by 
women in his government and a strong personal commitment to religious 
and ethnic tolerance, . . . Prime Minister Abdullah walks the talk. If 
he can combine his strong and vocal advocacy of Islam Hadhari with 
continued progress in Malaysia's economic development based on a rule-
of-law government and market-based economies, he is well positioned to 
become an inspiration far beyond the borders of Malaysia''.
  I ask unanimous consent that a copy of Ambassador Dougan's op-ed be 
printed in the Record at the end of my speech.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (See exhibit I).
  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, in fact, the Prime Minister speaks 
eloquently about Hadhari Islam, meaning ``civilisation Islam,'' meaning 
religion should be directed toward good, toward progress and toward 
development--all consistent with the Tenets of Islam.
  The Prime Minister recently took this message in a powerful address 
before the World Council of Churches.
  I will quote a couple of topics in his speech.
  He said:

       Islam Hadhari is an approach that emphasises development, 
     consistent with the tenets of Islam, and focuses on enhancing 
     the quality of life. It aims to achieve this via the mastery 
     of knowledge; the development of the individual and the 
     nation; the implementation of a dynamic economic, trading and 
     financial system; and the pursuit of integrated and balanced 
     development to develop pious and capable people, with care 
     for the environment and protection of the weak and 
     disadvantaged.

  Further, he said:

       Malaysia's experience and our promotion of Islam Hadhari 
     also clearly demonstrate a progressive attitude towards 
     relations with non-Muslim minorities and between gender. Our 
     approach does not threaten the rights of non-Muslims. In 
     fact, we celebrate the diversity of our respective cultures 
     and heritage. Those of other faiths in Malaysia, although a 
     minority, have never been persecuted and there is no 
     tolerance in my administration for discrimination and 
     prejudice against any religious group. I am a Muslim, but I 
     am also a leader of all Malaysians--whatever their faith.
       Similarly, we have tried to ensure that the rights of women 
     are protected and that they fulfil their potential without 
     having to face artificial barriers constructed in the name of 
     Islam. We know Islam to be just and fair, and that it honours 
     the position and rights of women. But there are clear 
     instances of prejudices being cloaked in religious teachings 
     in the Muslim world, aimed at passing off gender 
     discrimination as the accepted norm. This will simply not do.

  Finally, Singapore, which lies between two great nations with 
majority Muslim populations, should be commended for the valuable role 
is has assumed in promoting a continental dialogue over these critical 
issues.
  Singapore Senior Minister, Goh Chok Tong, is leading the way to the 
creation of the Asia-Middle East Dialogue. Bourne out of an extensive 
trip to the Middle East, where he observed in many Middle East 
countries a mainstream society both diverse and inclusive, the first 
Asia-Middle East Dialogue, AMED, will be held June 2005 in Singapore.
  An event of great ambition, AMED will bring together officials, 
academics, religious leaders and opinion makers for some 50 countries 
in the Middle East and Asia. As was noted to me, this is not a 
government-to-government meeting, this is a meeting best described as 
people to people.
  Among many the goals: forging closer political, economic, and 
security ties; a critical one is to improve the socio-cultural 
relations between the peoples of the two regions. The platform will 
provide a framework for the two regions to engage, to highlight to 
reformist elements and give a voice to the changes taking place in the 
Middle East.
  The growth in economic engagement and the inter-regional linkages 
will hopefully yield economic opportunities to push further the reform 
and liberalization of the economies of the Middle East.
  I think there is value in that approach.
  Above all, AMED will provide a platform for moderate Muslim countries 
to speak up and challenge the extremist strain of Islam. The threat 
presented by global terrorism stems from a militant, extremist ideology 
that uses religion to foment divisions between and within societies, to 
foster terrorist acts and murders of innocent civilians, government 
officials, and other leaders. The forum, among others, will elevate 
elements to counter this movement.
  In an encouraging sign, the Egyptian Government has offered to host 
the next AMED. I commend the Senior Minister. I commend Prime Minister 
Abdullah. I commend Yenny Zannuba Wahid, as well as the people of 
Singapore, for this important effort, which will have, I think, long-
range benefits not only for the people of Islam and the people of 
Islamic countries, but all of us who are concerned about the rise of 
religious fanaticism misusing the peaceful religion of Islam.
  I thank the Chair and my colleagues.
  I yield the floor.

                               Exhibit 1

          [From the Asian Wall Street Journal, Nov. 19, 2004]

                      Malaysia's Shadow Is Lifting

                         (By Diana Lady Dougan)

       This week's very public reunion between Malaysia's new 
     Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi and former Deputy Prime 
     Minister Anwar Ibrahim may be cause for cautious celebration. 
     It is now six years since then Prime Minister Mahathir 
     Mohamad sacked Mr. Anwar at the height of the Asian financial 
     crisis, replacing him with Mr. Abdullah. Six years in which 
     the headlines generated by the controversial legal process 
     surrounding Mr. Anwar's conviction for corruption and sodomy 
     have cast a shadow over Malaysia's reputation as a rising 
     star among industrializing nations.
       Now that shadow is starting to lift. The first step came in 
     September, when Malaysia's Federal Court overturned Mr. 
     Anwar's sodomy conviction, a step viewed by many as a signal 
     that Malaysia is back on the all-too-short list of ``rule of 
     law'' countries in the Islamic world. This week saw another 
     highly symbolic step. Mr. Anwar joined the head table of a 
     high-profile banquet hosted by Mr. Abdullah to celebrate the 
     end of Ramadan, the first meeting between the two men since 
     his jailing six years ago.
       This signaled Mr. Abdullah's emergence from Mr. Mahathir's 
     shadow. Mr. Abdullah is secure in his position as prime 
     minister of one of the largest secular Islamic countries. A 
     leader of particular importance to the West because of his 
     unequivocal denouncement of terrorism and the hate mongering 
     of Islamic fundamentalists.
       Despite many years in Mr. Mahathir's cabinet, including 
     five as deputy prime minister, Mr. Abdullah was a largely 
     unknown quantity when he quietly stepped into the departing 
     prime minister's shoes last year. When he assumed the role in 
     Oct. 2003, Mr. Abdullah did not wait long to lay the 
     groundwork for governmental reforms. Initially, his efforts 
     to tackle corruption, liberalize Malaysia's capital market 
     and increase business transparency were dismissed in some 
     quarters as predictable political posturing. But in the year 
     since Mr. Abdullah became prime minister, even Moodys and 
     Standard & Poor's have acknowledged Malaysia's efforts to 
     improve its economic fundamentals. Malaysia has jumped to 
     15th place this year from 23rd place in 2003 in the ranking 
     of attractive places for foreign direct investment among the 
     65 countries listed in the FDI Conference Index, according to 
     a recent report from management consultants A.T. Kearney.
       Malaysia and its new prime minister have a lot going for 
     them. The Malaysian Central Bank reports a 7.6% growth rate 
     during the first half of this year, following growth of 5.2% 
     in 2003. Its foreign reserves leapt to a record high of 221.1 
     billion ringgits ($58.2 billion) in October.
       Malaysla also has oil reserves. But unlike many oil 
     producing countries in the Muslin world, Malaysia has a large 
     and stable middle class. An enviable 82% of its population 
     live above the poverty line.
       Nonethless Malaysia is often stigmatized as a Muslin 
     society where Islam is constitutionally enshrined as the 
     national religion. Although led by pragmatic and progressive 
     leaders today, the country has historically had its share of 
     radical Muslim activists. Indeed few Westerners recall that 
     Mr. Anwar got his political start as a Muslim firebrand 
     activist. And during his six years in jail, the former deputy 
     prime minister has deftly orchestrated the creation of a new 
     splinter party headed by Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, his 
     conservatively shrouded ophthalmologist wife and mother of 
     six. However since his September release, little had been 
     seen of Mr. Anwar until this week. And it remains to be seen 
     how much of the support for his political party will survive 
     now that Mr. Anwar is no longer a folk hero in prison.
       Although not as colorful as Messrs. Mahathir or Anwar, Mr. 
     Abdullah has long enjoyed a personal reputation untainted by 
     scandal. He is a devout Muslim with a university degree in 
     Islamic studies reinforced by a father who taught the Koran 
     and a

[[Page S1191]]

     grandfather who ran a madrassa religious school.
       Ironically Mr. Abdullah's reputation as a respected scholar 
     of the Koran has worked to Mr. Anwar's advantage in the past, 
     and the two men have ties that go back far beyond this week's 
     reunion. In 1980, when Mr. Anwar eloped to Thailand with his 
     now wife, his father-in-law dramatically refused to 
     acknowledge the marriage and disowned his daughter. The young 
     couple recruited Mr. Abdullah as intermediary who was 
     credited with using quotes from the Koran to successfully 
     intercede on Mr. Anwar's behalf and convince his 
     fundamentalist father-in-law to accept the marriage.
       Armed with ethnically Arab heritage as well as Arabic 
     language fluency (the name ``Badawi'' means ``Bedouin'' in 
     Arabic), Abdullah Badawi comes with a credibility in the 
     terror-plagued Middle East that Asian Muslims seldom have. 
     And as a well-respected expert on the Koran, he cannot easily 
     be yanked around nor intimidated by fundamentalist zealots 
     who are distorting the Islamic faith and the world view.
       Mr. Abdullah is starting to gain attention in the Arab 
     world for his vocal and eloquent championing of ``Islam 
     Hadhari.'' Roughly translated as ``Civilizational Islam,'' 
     Islam Hadhari is not a new religion. Rather it is a rallying 
     point for progressive Muslims in Malaysia. Islam Hadhari is 
     committed to promoting ethnic and religious tolerance, 
     equality for women, protecting the religious as well as 
     political rights of minorities, and pursuing economic 
     development based on education and fairness.
       With many senior positions held by women in his government 
     and a strong personal commitment to religious and ethnic 
     tolerance embedded in his Chinese, Arab and Malay heritage, 
     Prime Minister Abdullah walks the talk. If he can combine his 
     strong and vocal advocacy of Islam Hadhari with continued 
     progress in Malaysia's economic development based on rule-of-
     law government and market-based economics, he is well 
     positioned to become an inspiration far beyond the borders of 
     Malaysia.
       As chair of both the 118 country Non Aligned Movement and 
     the 57 country Organization of the Islamic Conference until 
     2006, Malaysia under Mr. Abdullah's leadership can command an 
     international spotlight--especially in the Muslim world.
       Clearly no single person can single-handedly defeat the 
     distorted logic and deadly forces being unleashed in the name 
     of Allah around the world, much less the debilitating 
     economics that plague much of the Muslim world. But Mr. 
     Abdullah is clearly working to turn the tide in the most 
     important battle we are facing. For all our sakes, let's hope 
     both Malaysia and its new prime minister take advantage of 
     their unique opportunities.

                          ____________________