EU for better links with Islam by working with Indonesia's largest group

In a meeting with Muzadi, chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama, Solana said he wanted to work for cooperation between Islam and the west. The EU diplomat also visited Banda Aceh.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) – The High Representative of the EU for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, is interested in collaborating with the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia's largest Muslim organization, to improve cooperation between Islam and the west, especially as regards education and development. It is Solana's view that Indonesia has played and continues to play a strategic role of key international importance, given that it is the largest Islamic country in the world.

On Friday, 21 April, Solana met NU leaders in Jakarta, including the chairman Kiai Haj Hasyim Muzadi, and he complimented the city's Muslim community. He said: "We urgently hope cooperation between Western communities and Muslim people, including in Indonesia, can be strongly fostered and enhanced. And I am willing to do it. I personally want to invite Hasyim Muzadi to attend an International Conference for Islamology Experts next June."

Muzadi said the west esteems the NU highly – the organization was formerly chaired by the ex president, Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid – because it has always been represented moderate Islam, and supports Indonesia's religious minorities. Muzadi invited the European Union to "change" its rigid position with regard to Muslims, and to move from a military to a more conciliatory approach. "This objective can be reached through cultural, economic, and educational programs. Solana has shown his commitment to this path," said Muzadi.

During his three-day visit to Indonesia, Solana also visited Banda Aceh and confirmed his commitment to post-tsunami reconstruction. He met GAM (Free Aceh Movement) leaders who have just returned to Banda Aceh from exile, including the Prime Minister of GAM, Malik Mahmud and his Foreign Minister, Zaini Abdullah. "We want to show out commitment to peace in Aceh," said Solana after a meeting with GAM leaders and Indonesian representatives, including the Communications Minister, Sofyan Djalil. He added that the EU Commission planned to support a project for local elections in Aceh and to supply technical backing for the committee for independent elections.

• Indonesia
• EU
• dialogue
• islam
• west
• solana
• Aceh
• muslims
• Nahdlatul
• Ulama