Jokowi Becomes an Influential Muslim Figure in the World in Today's History, April 14, 2018
History today, eight years ago, April 14, 2018, the annual publication, The Muslim 500 ranked President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) as one of the influential Muslim figures in the world. The narrative made Jokowi's performance as a Muslim leader internationally recognized.
Previously, Jokowi was known as a figure close to ulama. All kinds of policies he made often involved ulama. Jokowi even often invited ulama to the Palace to ask for his opinion.
Jokowi's appearance on the Indonesian political map is surprising. Jokowi was able to decide that a leader must have a stunning rhetoric. Jokowi actually appeared the opposite. He was able to appear as he is.
His speech style is ordinary. however, his sensitivity is great. Jokowi often goes in and out of the village to shop for problems. This narrative has been carried out by Jokowi since he became Mayor of Surakarta, Governor of DKI Jakarta, until he became President of Indonesia. The style of visiting the village made Jokowi widely known.
Jokowi was also able to summarize the input into policies that were pro-people. All kinds of people's voices are heard. What is special is that Jokowi does not forget to discuss with ulama when summarizing policies. Jokowi's closeness to ulama is visible in his series of activities when he goes out into the community.
Jokowi often visits famous ulama places. This narrative makes Jokowi get a lot of input regarding his leadership. The input is useful so that the government can take measured policies.
Instead of just visiting the ulama, Jokowi also often invites ulama to the Presidential Palace. The invitation is intended so that Jokowi gets input from all lines - especially matters of maintaining harmony. Therefore, Jokowi is the leader who most often invites ulama to the palace.
"Yes, the President is he as the president who may visit the pesantren, ulama. Not only that, but also receive figures from other religions. Almost all of them are accepted at the Palace. But it must be admitted that the majority of our population is Muslim. "
"Why are ulama accepted, it's actually more that he wants to listen to the voices of the people about various things. From there, the President hears a lot of things, including these ulama who also pay attention to what the President does. Including the President of boxing, the ulama also give input. It's not biased, our ulama," said Pramono Anung as quoted by lamandetik.com, March 13, 2018.
Jokowi's blusukan action and his closeness to world scholars. The narrative is evidenced by the results of a survey from the Amman-based survey agency, The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre. They included Jokowi in the list of The Muslim 500 on April 14, 2018.
The owner of the survey placed Jokowi in the 16th position. Alias Jokowi is one of the most influential Muslim figures in the world. Jokowi is considered a leader who is able to maintain diversity. This narrative is then believed to be a form of the world's recognition of Jokowi's contribution in the Indonesian political world.
Jokowi's inclusion in the list of influential Muslim figures was greeted with great fanfare. Many considered Jokowi worthy of it. Moreover, the recognition was then able to remove the impression from political opponents that Jokowi was an anti-Islamic leader.
"This is an award and recognition from the international community for President Jokowi's leadership in building moderate Islam in the world's most populous Muslim country. Congratulations, Mr. Jokowi," said Secretary General of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), Raja Juli Antoni, as quoted by the lamantempo.co, April 14, 2018.