Maarif Institute: ADFP Award Strengthens Jokowi's Inclusive Leadership

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin received the Ali Hasan bin Ali award for Peace addressed to President Joko Widodo from Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, in Abu Dhabi/ANTARA

JAKARTA - The Maarif Institute assesses the Hasan bin Ali 2022 International Peace award from the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace (ADFP) that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has received confirms the success of his inclusive leadership.

"Maarif Institute considers this award to confirm the success of Jokowi's inclusive leadership in managing diversity and strengthening community cohesiveness in the midst of a difficult world situation," said Maarif Institute Program Director Moh. Shofan, in a press release received in Jakarta, Antara, Sunday, November 6.

Shofan also appreciated ADFP's move to give the award to Jokowi, represented by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin in his meeting with ADFP President Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyan in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), last Wednesday.

According to Shofan, Jokowi deserves the award because of his persistence in fostering inter-religious harmony and peace in Indonesia.

Jokowi is even able to harmonize relations between religious and ethnic adherents and present various efforts to fight political polarization and sectarianism or the spirit of defending a belief.

"So, this spirit of appreciation breaks down the walls of sectarianism and builds bridges of peace between diverse Muslim groups in the world," said Shofan.

The award given to President Jokowi, added Shofan, is also a form of acknowledgment of Jokowi's strong commitment in promoting and spreading the values ​​of peace, tolerance, and coexistence in Indonesia as the largest Muslim country in the world.

One of them was seen when Jokowi urged the United Nations (UN) to be more intensive in maintaining pluralism and tolerance, in the midst of rampant practices of religious intolerance and violence in the name of religion.

Shofan assessed that Jokowi had reminded all parties that the world needs unity, brotherhood, peace, and cooperation to overcome other global challenges.

He hopes that the award can strengthen the commitment and seriousness of the Government of Indonesia in overcoming discrimination and intolerance towards religious communities that still occur, such as in Bireun, Aceh; Cilegon, Banten; and Banyuwangi, East Java.

In line with the agenda of strengthening the values ​​of tolerance, peace, and dialogue across religious groups, Shofan said that the Maarif Institute would hold the Ahmad Syafii Maarif Thought Conference at the Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta on 12-17 November 2022.

“International recognition of Jokowi's leadership cannot be separated from the constructive role of national figures and the contribution of moderate religious organizations that have been strategic partners of the government so far. Buya Syafii's thoughts still have relevance in answering the question of the people and Indonesia," said Shofan.