NUSA DUA, Indonesia, 13 May 2006 — Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono invoked the past glory of Islamic civilization as he urged Muslims to shun extremism in their fight for justice and prosperity.
Yudhoyono also called on eight mostly-Muslim countries whose leaders were to hold a summit in Indonesia’s resort island of Bali today to be part of a global partnership to rebuild Islamic civilization.
“The civilization of Islam was great in the past. In the first millennium we had developed many things in advancing global civilization. We are the first globalizers,” Yudhoyono said in a speech after Friday prayers in Bali.
But now Muslims have been left behind in many fields, the president told the congregation attended by delegates to the fifth summit of the Developing 8 (D-8) grouping.
“That’s why we have to work together to build a strong partnership to fight for global justice, global peace and global prosperity — justice, peace and prosperity for all nations and countries all over the world,” he said.
Yudhoyono said Muslims must fight for justice and dignity “peacefully, wisely and skillfully.” “We oppose violence, radicalism and of course terrorism. There are many ways for us to achieve our objectives,” he said.
“So I appeal to all of you to be part of our big partnership in cooperation in rebuilding our civilization, to be contributed to the world. As we all know that Islam is a blessing of the universe,” he said.
The D-8 group consists of Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey. The forum focuses on commercial and economic cooperation among member states, including in the areas of science, industry and investment.
Indonesia has been courted recently by both the United States and Britain who are keen to hold up its moderate version of Islam and democratic credentials as an example to other Muslim nations.
In contrast, the US and its European allies have been on a collision course with Iran, whose leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad wrapped up a three-day state-visit to Indonesia yesterday ahead of his visit to Bali.
